To the Editor:too late.)

When Newtown was first presented with money donated by GE for a community center, we were presented with "plans" for the community center which were then voted upon by Newtown residents.

The plans included "up to" a 6-8 lane 50 meter pool, an ice rink, and rooms for crafts and gathering areas for all ages.

The plans have now been modified to a noncompetitive pool adjacent to a large zero entry pool, geared for elderly and therapy. Neither pool can be used to host a swim team/meets. The center will have a separate "senior entrance" (the senior center). The plans have been modified over and again over the past three years.

My concern is that the proposed final plan will not be able to maintain itself.

Q&A from the town website:

Q: What is the business model for the center and projected revenue for the center?

A: The Board of Selectmen will determine if further pro formas are needed and the business model will be most likely be developed once the management structure is chosen.

(There is no management structure/business model. How can we build a center with no proposed management, no proforma, and no business plan? Post-construction change will be

Q. Will the CC be self sustaining?

A: ...Final decisions/determinations on costs will happen once the management structure is in place.

(Again, there is no management structure in place. We have no plan as to how this will be self-sustainable. Why are we rushing into this?)

Modifying the plans to a USA sanctioned 6+ lane 50 meter pool will maintain the entire facility. One swim meet/month will generate income towards running the building. A USA swim team will generate tens of thousands of dollars more per season. Olympic/Aquatic events will also generate revenue.

Why are we racing to build a facility that will only raise our future taxes due to the inability for the facility to maintain itself? More importantly, why are we building a facility that was donated primarily to the precious Class of 2024 children when there is little in this facility geared towards children in this age group?

(The ice rink was deleted from plans. Newtown youth need to go to Trumbull, Monroe, Shelton, Brookfield, or Wilton to join a swim team because Newtown is one of a few towns that doesn't have a USA team.)

A pro forma must be requested and plans modified or we will end up with a building that cannot maintain itself... with little to no benefit to our youth and a tax burden to our residents.

I implore you to please consider attending the next board of selectmen meeting on September 5 when the plans are scheduled to be voted on for final approval. This will only change with residents, in numbers, who demand the change.

Debra Sullivan

9 Clearview Drive, Sandy Hook         August 28, 2017