At the first of four public forums, Thursday evening, February 4, just over three dozen residents were the first to view a draft proposal for a new community center from the Newtown Community Center Commission (NCCC). It was an exercise in listening for the nine NCCC members present, as they heard residents' thoughts on a new community center that is favored by the commission, as well as for an alternate proposal put forth by the NCCC.

Newtown received a $15 million gift through the GE Foundation, following 12/14. Per the commission's charge, they are to align with conditions established by GE including using $10 million of that gift to build a center, supported by a $1 million annual grant over the next five years.

There are also town Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds available for a community center to supplement the project; $5 million has been earmarked for the current year.

The objective of the forums is to "Gain resident feedback on the community center draft proposal in order to help the NCCC finalize the center's recommendation that is presented to Newtown's elected officials," according to a slide statement presented to the gathering, Thursday.

"Tell us if we're somewhere in the ball park. We're here to hear you," urged co-chairman Brian Hartgraves, prior to starting the slide show presentation of the NCCC options. In addition to considering public input, the Commission "added as we went along,"

Mr Hartgraves said, to offer a "community center with features." The building would be built next to Newtown Youth Academy at Fairfield Hills, creating a "hub and anchor for the community," he said. (Later in the session, the NCCC clarified, in response to a question, that the footprint of the center, due to the upcoming demolition of Canaan House, was now greater than had been initially discussed over two years ago.)

The commission's drafts reflect what they have discerned to be most desired by the public, among them that the center must act as a multigenerational hub; provide space for education, recreational, art, and creative programs; be self-sustaining; engage the entire community; and encourage social interaction.

Option one presented was the commission's preference, consisting of a 13,000 square-foot core community center; a 50-meter indoor pool and a zero entry pool, taking up 30,500 square-feet; and a 61,500 square-foot ice rink. "We believe that after three years, this center could turn a profit," Mr Hartgraves said.

He later added that the pools and ice rink could share heating/cooling, saving operational costs, and that in the estimated six months of the year when the rink would not be in use, it could be drained and the space used for large audience programs. The option includes seating for 300 people. This option would require $10 million from the GE Foundation gift, $7.5 million from the town's capital improvement fund (CIP), plus "place holder funds" to cover the costs. A $10.2 million funding gap would not come from the town, said Mr Hartgraves, but could be met through fundraising.

The alternate option offered by the commission is for a core community center and indoor pools, and no ice rink, at a projected cost of $15 million, using $10 from GE and $5 from the CIP.

Both are best guess estimates, stressed NCCC members. "You never know until you build it," Mr Hartgraves said.

Both options require approval of residents and use all of the money available to this project from the CIP.

Based on research into comparable facilities, an aquatic center could generate more than $100,000 annually; an ice arena estimate at year three is a profit of about $80,000; and a standalone community center could potentially cost about $200,000 a year.

Figures are based on estimated staffing, building expenditures as expenses, and potential revenue through memberships, programs, and events. The scenarios come from months of researching other community/recreation facilities, gathering information from and polling the public, understanding town needs, and a round of forums held in 2015 to gauge residents' thoughts.

"We are still planning to send this to referendum in April," said Mr Hartgraves, noting that voters would have a "yes" or "no" vote only, on one option offered. The ribbon cutting for the new center would be two to three years down the road, following public approval.

An Obvious Omission

After listening, questions from the floor focused on operational costs, and from many in the audience, what they perceived as an obvious omission - that of an option for just a community center with space for programming and intermingling, but with no pools or ice rink.

The simple community center option would be a financial drain on the town, offering no real possibilities for creating revenue, said NCCC member Sean Dunn. The commission had also considered how much use a stand-alone center would have. However, pointed out resident Tracy Van Buskirk, was it not true that the additional $5 million from the GE gift could fund a simple center for at least ten years?

"I'd like to see a third option on the table at future forums," requested Scott Cicciari. Keep the plan simple, get back to the basics, and keep the cost within the $10 million GE gift, voiced others in the room.

Emotions began to rise, as some objected to the lack of this stand-alone option on surveys and in a draft proposal. NCCC members reminded the audience that they, too, are residents, and only seeking how best to use the GE gift.

"Where we are today is that now we want to hear what we all want. Let's not make this hostile," said NCCC member Sean Dunn.

As questions turned to programming, NCCC members repeatedly reminded the audience that this commission is not charged with programming, but only of presenting a proposal for a community center to the town and community, for consideration.

Also among those commenting at the February 4 forum were residents interested in how the new center would affect senior citizens. What would be the cost to seniors for using facilities in the new center, asked one resident, while others pointed out that they and younger citizens were on fixed incomes that would exclude them from using the space if costs were not minimal or free. Based on very conservative usage numbers, Mr Dunn said that a yearly membership to the pool could cost a family $300 a year; an individual, $150 a year; and $135 a year for senior citizens.

"This is not a replacement for the Senior Center," Mr Hartgraves said. "We did not plan it as a senior center, but we did not plan it to exclude seniors," he said, stressing that it was meant to be multipurpose and multigenerational.

Curt Symes, chairman of the Commission on Aging, suggested that the original Community Center Commission had included plans allotting for too large a space dedicated to the senior citizens. He praised the current commission, and stressed that he believed "We really would use the Community Center as a town.

A facility with a lot of capabilities would be a draw," said Mr Symes, and seniors would use the space on a managed schedule of programs. Cost to seniors would be greater than the current $15 a year fee to belong to the Senior Center, he conceded, but greater programming would be available in the new venue.

Also offering impassioned opinions were those supporting the revenue-making preferred NCCC option.

Diverse Opinions

One mother of four young children stated how time consuming it now is to drive children to skating and swimming opportunities outside of Newtown. "This [expanded option] would provide us with what we use, right here in town. It would be a thrill for many parents," she said, adding that she appreciated the commission having looked long term at the revenue stream. Also commenting in support of the aquatic option was a two-year resident who said she was told when moving to Newtown that GE had provided money for a pool. The pool would encourage people to move to town, she suggested, and be a draw from around the area.

"We did think about Newtown first," Mr Hartgraves interjected. "This is for residents, first."

Paul Fadus pointed out that any money used above the GE gift comes from the CIP, which is borrowed money that must be paid on the backs of taxpayers and their children. "We need the third option of a community center alone, and run on 16 years with just the GE money," said Mr Fadus.

"It gets back to we're going to be 'taxed' to use this [pool]. We're still paying money out of our pockets," agreed Susan Curran.

Free pool time to accommodate all of Newtown's citizens must be offered, another resident urged, with Mr Dunn again reminding the group that the NCCC mission is to say what is recommended for a facility, not to determine programming or use of space.

Chris Carvalho offered an emotional plea to the group, concerned that the GE gift is tearing the town apart. "How do we make it a living memorial [to 12/14]?" she asked. In the wake of their child's death, a local doctor created Kevin's Community Center, she pointed out, offering free health care to all. "So what do we do with a gift given to us in tragedy? We feather our nest," Ms Carvalho said, rather than consider the less fortunate in our community. "We're missing a good opportunity for the world to see us again and say, 'Wow! Newtown did something good out of tragedy,'" she said.

Equally impassioned were statements from resident Okan Akbas, who cautioned the group to not be shortsighted in selecting a plan. Adding on options later would be far more expensive, he said. "The whole reason we are here, is because of a child with problems," said Mr Akbas, alluding to the 12/14 shooter. He would want to see the new community center focus on the youth of the community center. A pool and rink would draw young people. "We want to make sure our youth are served," he said.

As the hour and a half meeting closed, Mr Hartgraves thanked all for their comments.

"There were some very diverse opinions," observed NCCC member Carla Kron, following the meeting.

"It was a little more emotional than I expected, but I thought it went great," said Mr Hargraves.

Commission members will be available during three more public forums on Saturday, February 6, at 10 am, at the Newtown Senior Center, Tuesday, February 9, at 7 pm, in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library, and Saturday, February 13, at 10 am, also at the Library. Residents can also email feedback/comments to the commission at newtowncommunitycenter@gmail.com.

There will be a special meeting at noon, after the February 13 forum, for commission members to reflect on input from the four forums and determine if any changes to the draft are needed. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) and Board of Finance require the NCCC proposal by Thursday, February 18, in order to draft a referendum and bonding proposal. Once the selectmen approve the proposal, it moves to the Board of Finance, and then the Legislative Council. From the council it will return to the selectmen, and that board will draft language for a referendum. Residents will then vote on the proposal.

(Reporting by Kendra Bobowick, was used in this article.)