Defining The Centers For Newtown

To the Editor:

Based on several polls and surveys, the people of Newtown have expressed their desire for a community center, a cultural arts center, and a recreation center to be located on the Fairfield Hills property. There is a clear distinction or difference in the mission of each.

Community Center — A Community Center provides for large open spaces suitable for weddings, meetings, social events, library book sales, proms and dances, indoor flea markets, tradeshows, club functions, one-day conferences, etc.

Location: Bridgeport Hall, previously the central dining hall for Fairfield Hills, is ideally constructed to serve as a community center for Newtown.

Renovation Costs: Unknown at this time; however, the building has been deemed useable by the Fairfield Hills Master Plan and by consultants Harrall-Michalowski Associates, Inc. To determine actual costs, the building needs to be inspected and evaluated. A fully equipped commercial kitchen is needed as well as adequate parking. Patterned after Waveny House in New Canaan or Terryville in Danbury, a Bridgeport Hall daily fee structure could be $1,500 to $2,250 for residents and $2,500 to $3,365 for nonresidents, thus becoming a revenue-generating asset.

Cultural Arts Center — A cultural arts center is a facility for the dramatic arts, dance, graphic arts, music, as well as a studio rental space for fine arts, pottery, woodworking, etc.

A cultural arts Ad Hoc Study Group, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, is now studying how a Newtown Cultural Arts Commission can become part of the regional and statewide cultural commissions and how to secure funding.

Location: Plymouth Hall, with its lobby, reception area, snack bar, stage, 500-seat auditorium, large and small rooms, is ideal and under consideration as a cultural arts center.

Renovation Costs: Unknown at this time; however, the building has been deemed usable by the Fairfield Hills Master Plan and by consultants Harrall Michaelowski Associates, Inc. The state replaced the roof in 1988 and removed hazardous material. Cost estimates will need to be obtained to determine renovation expenses. State and federal grants can be applied for as well as funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to defray costs. Also, a cultural arts center would attract visitors to Newtown who would patronize our local businesses.

Recreation Center — A recreation center is described as a facility to house nonplaying field activities in the ten-year Plan of Conservation and Development proposed by the Planning & Zoning Commission. A partial list of its facilities shows “two oversized gyms to allow for two full court games, with lockers, showers…smaller gym for karate…etc.” (p. 69) The selectmen recommended that a recreation center be built at Fairfield Hills, and $4.5 million has been included in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan recently approved by the Board of Finance.

Fairfield Hills would provide adequate parking for all three centers.

In conclusion, what is needed now is an updated cost estimate for the reuse of Bridgeport and Plymouth halls. The town is poised to pay $3.9 million for Fairfield Hills. Before we spend any of the remaining $16.1 million, cost estimates are needed for these two buildings. The potential for generating revenue for Newtown and enriching the lives of our citizens should not be overlooked.

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                               January 13, 2004