Executive Director Matt Ariniello has announced that a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10 am on Friday, July 19, to officially open the Newtown Community Center and the new Senior Center.

“We are looking forward to opening our doors to the community and showcasing our programs and offerings,’ Mr Ariniello told The Newtown Bee, July 12. “I believe the community will value the thoughtfulness and effort put into this project.’

Located on the campus of Fairfield Hills, the new facility is at 8 Simpson Street, opposite Newtown Municipal Center.

Residents are invited to join local officials and representatives from General Electric as the center’s doors officially open to the community for the first time. Promptly following the community center opening, the senior center will celebrate its opening. The two centers are housed under the same roof and share an aquatics area featuring a lap pool and children’s pool with water features.

Those planning to attend are asked to make a reservations with Mr Ariniello at matt.ariniello@newtown-ct.gov by July 16. The event is rain or shine.

Tours of the new building, with its lobby, administrative suite, multi-purpose rooms, classroom, display space, and a commercial kitchen and café, will take place immediately after the opening ceremony. A reception will follow. "I look forward to the Community joining us and recognizing the hard work of many who have helped this project come to fruition," Mr Ariniello said.

Learn more about the center at its website, newtowncommunitycenter.org, which states in part: “Our inclusive mission is to welcome visitors of all ages to meet, play, connect, create, learn, and grow because gathering and interacting keep this community connected and strong.”

Along with Director Ariniello are new hires Aquatics Director Kristin Rebelo, who will share skills with the Parks & Recreation Department, and Program Coordinator Jennifer Cebry, whose duties and salary will be shared with the Senior Center. Parks & Rec will also relocate to the new space.

The Better Day

The café area is a special component in the new center. The Better Day Café will open thanks to efforts of Mr Ariniello and the Newtown Public Schools Transition Program.

Students ages 18-21 in the transition program will staff the café and receive a work experience of operating a food business. The work will help them foster a meaningful connection to their community, as states a recent press release. Proposed rates for residents could be obtained by the month or annually, along with $8 one-day passes. Proposed annual resident rates would range from $216 for individual youths/teens and seniors to $492 for a family membership.

A structured annual rate of $408 is proposed for a single-parent family, while individual adults would pay $372 per year. Proposed annual access for out-of-town residents would cost $24-$36 more, depending on the program.

According to Mr Ariniello, an application for assistance is available to those who may want to join the Community Center but are financially insecure.

Rates were created based on similar types of structures at area YMCAs, along with the Ridgefield, Shelton, Mansfield, and Glastonbury community centers, Mr Ariniello said in past months.

He reviewed a range of prospective fees for room rentals, structured hourly with modest up-charges for nonmembers, as well. A member could rent the art studio or one of several activity rooms for a proposed fee of $30 per hour on weekdays, or $35-$40 per hour on weekends, while a nonmember would pay $33-$40 weekdays and $40-$44 on weekends.

The proposed largest banquet/event space, combining three abutting activity rooms, would cost members $125 per hour weekdays and $140 per hour on weekends, while nonmembers would pay $150 weekdays and $165 on weekends.

Year one operational costs are estimated at $888,971, including $362,000 in full- and part-time salaries and $55,000 in non-recurring costs, Mr Ariniello reported.

Building Background

The new 45,860-square-foot building will include separate community center and senior center areas.

The community center’s facilities, totaling approximately 35,210 square feet, will include an arts and crafts room; six multipurpose activity rooms to accommodate activities ranging from music to group gatherings; a commercial kitchen; an approximately 5,000-square-foot banquet room; a six-lane, 25-yard pool; a zero-entry activity pool; and outdoor connections to the surrounding area of the Fairfield Hills campus.

The separate senior center of 9,450 square feet will cater to seniors’ programs and activities and strive to enhance and expand the current program offerings.

The project is funded through a 2013 gift from GE of $15 million for the development, construction, and operation of a community center. From GE is $10 million to design and build and another $5 million to underwrite at least five years of operating expenses.

The town is bonding an additional $5 million in Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds to supplement the $10 million capital gift. Another $3 million of CIP money is funding the senior center.