To the Editor:

The results are in concerning the financial feasibility of using the GE gift to build an aquatic center at Fairfield Hills. The Sports Facility Advisory (SFA) group found that the proposed aquatic center expenses "would exceed revenue by a healthy margin." We, and the other 1,400 taxpayers who voted against this boondoggle, were not surprised. We did extensive research on the financials of many area facilities and came to the same conclusion. Although we went to every meeting throughout this referendum process, our message fell on deaf ears. Now that the findings of the SFA are in hand, Pat Llodra and the Community Center Commission can see clearly that we were right.

What we now find disconcerting is that, in spite of facts to the contrary, Pat Llodra is considering doubling down on their miscalculations by once again entertaining the construction of an ice rink for the purpose of generating revenue. Our research indicates that they are not profit producing either. (Remember, "revenue" producing is not the same as "profit" producing). We called several existing ice rinks within Connecticut and all of the towns have to subsidize them.

We've already wasted more than $100,000 of the GE gift by ignoring or manipulating the financial data to advance an agenda to build a regional sports complex; let's do it right this time and not throw good money after bad. Let's simply build a community center in the traditional sense of the word, which is what GE intended all along.

Cris Carvalho

Paul Fadus

5 Sunset Hill Road, Newtown         August 31, 2016