At Fairfield Hills—

Finding Space For Arts, Seniors, And Recreation

By Kendra Bobowick

Stressing that the concept of a multipurpose facility is “just a suggestion,” First Selectman Herb Rosenthal has asked departments to weigh the possibility of combining recreation programming, senior activities, and a cultural arts center all in one space.

“We’ll start talking in the next couple of weeks and if it’s agreeable to all to combine into one building we can then have plans drawn up,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Barbara Kasbarian said. A new building, most likely located at a site within the Fairfield Hills campus, is several years away and is the final phase of her department’s plans that begin with a pool. Next in line of importance are a pool enclosure and then the building.

Ms Kasbarian is not alone among the departments in town looking for more space for programming. The Senior Center also is feeling squeezed.

The seniors have far outgrown their space, said Senior Center Director Marilyn Place.

Recently the Board of Selectmen noted similarities among funding requests from both the Commission on Aging and the Parks and Recreation Department, which both sought funds for design and construction of new spaces as noted in respective capitol improvement plans. Selectmen chose to combine requests, Mr Rosenthal said. He also feels that the ad hoc Cultural Arts Commission would benefit from aligning itself with the multipurpose facility.

Both the recreation department and seniors have sought a larger facility for several years — Ms Place said her functions are often beyond the room’s 75-person capacity, and aside from administrative rooms at Town Hall South behind the police station, Ms Kasbarian said, “We don’t have a space of our own!” She relies on the schools for classroom and gymnasium space for her classes and programs.

“When the schools are closed, we are closed,” she said. “But with our own place we could be open on snow days and wouldn’t have to cancel.”

Mr Rosenthal had prompted department heads to meet soon and discuss the option of sharing a community center, but emphasized, “I am not saying they have to do this, just consider it…If they don’t think it’s feasible, look at something else.”

Ms Kasbarian likes the thought of a combined building.

“I think it’s wonderful if we try to get the senior center and [recreation] center together.” She reasons that residents will more easily accept one new building before agreeing to several.

“Trying to sell three or four different buildings to the town is a lot harder than combining forces,” Ms Kasbarian said. Mr Rosenthal shares her sentiments.

He feels a multipurpose facility will gain more support and “have a better chance than [a building] with a narrower focus.”

Ms Place explained that the senior programming has outgrown the center. “We can’t even have Christmas parties or picnics,” she said. “The size of this building restricts you.” The Senior Center is at 14 Riverside Road in a multiuse building. She explained that the town’s parks and banquet halls provide venues for larger events. Ms Place is looking ahead to a meeting with Ms Kasbarian in the near future, and said, “We all need to weigh what’s good for everybody.”

Ms Place also explained that she understood a combined building would most likely mean a bigger space. She also noted, “We’ve got to look out for what seniors want in town.”

Mr Rosenthal acknowledges that each party may have its preferences. He said, “I know a lot of people may want a lot of things, but we have to look at feasibility.” He again emphasized that the selectmen are not saying that a multipurpose building is the only opportunity, but should be considered.

His thoughts turned to funding sources.

“We don’t have unlimited funding…we have to live within funds,” he said. Reasoning that grants exist for seniors, for recreation programming, and for cultural endeavors, he thought a multiuse space might be able to combine resources.