Architect At Work On Community/Senior Center Design

By Kendra Bobowick

Earlier this fall, with funds for the design of a community/senior center approved, Senior Center Director Marilyn Place and Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold, among others, juggled several choices for an architect. They narrowed their selection to Ames & Whitaker of Waterbury — a firm adept at municipal work. Recalling the process, Ms Place said, “It wasn’t easy.” But it was universal.

With paperwork accompanying the handful of firms, she said, “We read, we met, we came back to the table …” And at last, Ms Place recalls, “It was unanimous.” First Selectman Joe Borst noted that the Commission on Aging and recreation members “felt they would get better service from a smaller firm,” and Ames & Whitaker is the right fit. He also read through the firm’s information, liking what he saw, and has met members of the architectural office. “They’re upfront people,” Mr Borst said.

Ms Mangold also likes the choice of Ames & Whitaker. “They are used to dealing with a municipality and people with tight budgets.” Confident with the firm’s history, Ms Place explained, “They have done senior centers and recreation centers before.” She refers to the “terrific” facility in Woodbury as an example that swayed her opinion.

Aware that “two strong” groups are looking forward to space in the community/senior center, Ames & Whitaker founding partner Greg Ames wants to mix the needs “the right way.”

“It’s a challenge,” he said. “You learn the issues of the citizenry and how to help people reach their goals.” With an understanding that many people, from Ms Place and Commission on Aging members, to Ms Mangold and the recreation program coordinators, he said, “It is a challenge to meet the needs of everybody. You have to deal with a multiplicity of groups and people and satisfy the residents and special interest groups.”

Ultimately, he believes the project will see public support. Regarding the number of people with an interest in recreation or the senior community, he observed, “Projects with a strong constituency usually get what they want.”

With the selection process behind them, Ms Place and others await the architect’s first drafts of design. Looking ahead to the facility’s eventual completion, Ms Mangold said, “We’re still in the planning phase — it’s what we’re working on. We’re looking at a plan that will work for both of us.” The last year saw a struggle to compromise over use of a building that would provide a venue for senior functions and also recreation programming.

Ms Mangold said, “We should get together soon and talk about the project.” Commission on Aging Chairman Ed Rees envisions a duplexlike building where seniors will have their own side and their own entrance.

Roughly $1 million passed recent rounds of Capital Improvement Plan appropriations, and Ames & Whitaker is now at work designing a building that will serve both Ms Mangold’s department and the seniors. O&G Industries Inc is the project manager. Part of the $1 million will go toward demolition of Litchfield House, which must come down to make room for the community/senior center and is also in proximity to the new Newtown Youth Academy. Designs will hopefully include a pool if the project is supported in coming years.

Future capital requests from both the seniors and recreation department will include funds for construction. Looking ahead to 2012, Ms Mangold is hopeful that a structure will be underway.

Past years’ capital requests detailed a need for a new facility from both the seniors and the recreation department; then-first selectman Herb Rosenthal thought the groups should consider using the same structure.