Nearly two-thirds of the residents who took the a survey concerned a possible Newtown Community Center in September and October were women, and at least 50 percent of respondents were between ages 40 to 55 years old, according to a recent release.

As Community Center Commission members gather information to help determine how best to use a $15 million gift from the General Electric Foundation, they launched a public survey exploring possible options including a pool, ice arena, cultural arts space, general gathering space, and more. Members will discuss these and other results at its November 10 meeting at 7 pm at Newtown Municipal Center. The information is not a final decision. The commission has set a January deadline to present its recommendation and will use meetings through December to finish its work.

More than 3,200 people completed the survey, which was available online and in print forms. That number came as a “pleasant surprise” to Commission Co-Chair Andy Clure.

“We anticipated about 1,000, but got over 3,000,” which he attributes to “a lot of people stepping up” and participating, including the many groups “looking for things in the center,” he said. Among those most outspoken in seeking activity space in a new community center are the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, supporters of a pool and ice rink supporters, and senior citizens.

Insights gathered from the survey are helpful, said Mr Clure.

“I think every piece of information is helpful; we are still getting e-mails from people in support of different features,” he said. “I get e-mails every day; it’s good to see people thinking about it and expressing opinion.”

He encourages residents to continue to reach out. As he has insisted since the group began its planning months ago: “Tell us what you are in support of, or not in support of.”

Nearly 70 percent of those taking the survey felt that community center space should accommodate both specific programs with specific audiences and multipurpose activities with different audiences, according the commission’s recent release.

On November 10, commissioners will also discuss other public outreach efforts and input from various groups interested in the center.

“While the survey and our stakeholder outreach are major steps in getting town input, we need to be clear what’s presented on Tuesday does not represent a final decision,” said commission Co-Chair Brian Hartgraves. “We are using this data in conjunction with other feedback — the four public forums, informal discussions with residents, dozens of e-mails, and forthcoming meetings — to build our final proposal to the Board of Selectman.”

Mr Clure agreed.

“You have to remember we are a public commission, so we have an obligation to share and collectively review this baseline data,” he said. “Our proposal will ultimately then be crafted and finalized in front of the town — hopefully with continued and growing input — not behind closed doors as a done deal.”

The survey and additional research will help guide the commission in its recommendation on how to allocate the generous GE funds. Recommendations will then go to the Board of Selectmen.

During the November 10 meeting members will share the survey results as well as additional feedback from scores of stakeholder groups — ranging from families who lost loved ones on 12/14 to town organizations, clubs and groups to the Parks & Recreation Department, Newtown Senior Center, Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, and others.

A subcommittee devoted to reaching stakeholders will also discuss results from contacting the many clubs and groups in town, Mr Clure said.

“They’ll talk about that feedback. That is going to be interesting,” he opined.

Recent forums, inviting residents to a questions-and-answers-style discussion, also provided commission members with insights.

“We were very pleased with the turnout and participation,” Mr Hartgraves said. “We learned there are many voices to Newtown.”

Commissioners urge all residents to attend the meeting and provide comment after all the data is presented.

“We are extremely fortunate to have received this gift from GE, but we can’t forget why we have this,” said Communication & PR Subcommittee Chair Bill Buchler. “We need to honor those lost as well as the families still grappling with that loss by having a dialogue that exhibits empathy, kindness, and a real commitment to bringing our community together with this opportunity.”

They aim to conclude their work in January, “because it’s a long process,” Mr Clure said. Their recommendations will go through other boards and councils before the Board of Selectmen create a question for a referendum. The final proposal will go to public vote.

The Survey

Using the Survey Monkey platform, the commission conducted the online survey from September 19 to October 10. To reach as broad an audience as possible, hard copies of the survey were also distributed to C.H. Booth Library, Newtown Senior Center, Nunnawauk Meadows, and Newtown Social Services.

The library also set up dedicated computers to assist residents that didn’t have a computer at home to take the survey online. Data reveals that altogether, 3,246 completed surveys were captured.

Insights include: 69 percent of respondents felt the community center should be designed to accommodate space both specific programs with specific audiences and multipurpose activities with different audiences (including movable walls and furniture).

Almost two thirds of respondents are women.

Sixty-two percent of respondents felt programs/classes for teens/young adults would be beneficial to them, their familes and the community as a whole.

Fifty percent of respondents were 40-55 years of age.

Thirty four percent of respondents would be willing to help support the community center in some way, either as a volunteer, activity leader, or a member of a possible oversight board.

“Multigenerational” was cited repeatedly by respondents as a critical focus for the center.

Providing “Communal Space” for residents to gather was also repeatedly mentioned.

Contact the cochairs with additional thoughts or questions at brian.hartgraves@ge.com or daclure@gmail.com.