Resident Offers Investment In Town’s Recreation

By Kendra Bobowick

His offer has everyone talking.

Resident and business owner Peter D’Amico of SCB office park and Bulk Materials International has offered to finance and build a facility that would create indoor recreation space for the town’s children. Mr D’Amico has contacted the town regarding these intentions at a time when several departments are facing recreation and space needs.

Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said, “We are really excited. This is a step in the right direction.” Like Ms Kasbarian, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal is also impressed. “This is an excellent development,” he said.

According to a recent release, Mr D’Amico has also established the Newtown Youth Academy — a not-for-profit agency aimed at providing facilities in town, possibly at Fairfield Hills.

Stressing again that his father has the youth in mind, Mr D’Amico’s son Matt D’Amico said, “He wants to do this for the kids.” Not willing to reveal how much his father is prepared to invest personally, Matt D’Amico explained, “He is dedicated whether alone or through donations. He will definitely put money toward this.”

Peter D’Amico was not available for comment this week.

Mr D’Amico’s desires coincide with many of the town’s capital improvement needs requiring funding for a multipurpose recreation center to likely house space for Parks and Recreation, the seniors, and the Cultural Arts Commission.

Although plans are still very preliminary, Mr D’Amico and the town have discussed coordinating efforts. Wednesday Mr Rosenthal announced an expanding working group aimed at developing a plan to address many of Newtown’s recreational and community needs. He also called a meeting to explore a possible public/private effort for a site at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Rosenthal believes that Mr D’Amico wants to move forward with his proposal in conjunction with the town. Details are “still up in the air,” as to how the plans will work out, Mr Rosenthal said. “We’re still working on how the facility will be developed and how we will do it.”

Ms Kasbarian said, “We’ll work around [Mr D’Amico’s] plans.” Making a similar statement, Matt D’Amico said his father is open to aligning efforts. “If our facility is in conjunction with Parks and Recreation and seniors or whatever, we’re willing to work with the town.”

The capital plans would move more slowly than Mr D’Amico prefers, however.

“He would like it by tomorrow,” Matt D’Amico said, adding,“He doesn’t want to wait, he wants this now.”

Mr Rosenthal said, “He is ready to move forward quickly and it’s exciting to see something will happen.”

Bringing together recreation officials, Fairfield Hills Authority representatives, Mr D’Amico, the town attorney, and project managers already at work at Fairfield Hills, Mr Rosenthal has established a Recreational Use Working Group. Also according to the release this week, group members will work to develop information on facility needs and schedule coordination for the groups who would probably use the building. Mentioned were the possible efficiencies and reduced costs through the facility’s development as part of a municipal and community center including town recreation.

The desire to contribute to the town’s youth recreation has been on Mr D’Amico’s mind for several years.

“Our family has been in town for 28 years. All four of [Mr D’Amico’s] sons went through the Newtown school system,” Matt D’Amico said. “We played soccer and he has coached travel soccer…we know there is a need for more facilities and he realized it was more than just soccer.”

Seniors in town have been striving for a larger facility to hold their social functions and programming. Also joining the plans is the recently established Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, which will require studio space, display areas, and room for its own specific activities.

The capital plans alone have work taking place over the course of several years. Ms Kasbarian anticipated funding for design plans for a facility for the coming year. Although approved as a capital project, the funding must still stand up to a budget process.