Proposals for a psychiatric hospital, ice arena, and children’s museum have all come before the Fairfield Hills Authority in the past, but just one appears to be moving forward with plans to make a home at the former state hospital campus.

Commencing negotiations for a lease is a medical facility. Land Use Director George Benson said recently that representatives from HealthVest are “coming back with cost estimates,” and recently were in town meeting with grants coordinator Christal Preszler. HealthVest is a behavioral health care firm that invests in psychiatric centers. President and CEO Richard A. Kresch, MD, has visited the Fairfield Hills campus several times and is interested in building a roughly 100-bed facility in the area of Norwalk Hall.

During the authority’s meeting on October 27, member Ross Carley noted that the firm has “several other successful” locations.

Chairman Thomas Connors asked if anyone had an issue with a health care facility. Mr Benson stressed that as a hospital that would treat primarily depression patients, he did not want to see anyone on the campus who had been committed by the state.

“We can’t have … involuntary commitment mandated by the state,” per zoning regulations, he said. The HealthVest proposal is for voluntary patients.

“It’s my understanding that they’re an advanced facility … for those who want to get help or families who want them to get help,” said Mr Connors. HealthVest would be a place of treatment “that we hope would not impact campus in a negative way,” Mr Connors said.

Ice Arena

Regarding the idea for an ice arena as introduced by resident Paul Esposito months ago, he has recently submitted a letter to the authority expressing interest in Fairfield Hills. Although authority members support the idea, they want to see a business or fundraising plan. Member Terry Sagedy suggested a feasibility study, and said the letter they received should have “some meat” to it, and was “insufficient.” Members are looking for more information.

Mr Benson suggested the authority ask for progress or a plan of action.

The search for a permanent home for EverWonder Children’s Museum is still active, but the group is no longer seeking space at Fairfield Hills. EverWonder members had been conducting a feasibility study for a space at Fairfield Hills in the past year.

EverWonder Children’s Museum Executive Director Tamara Tragakiss Barry said they are “not looking at FFH right now. Right now we need something reasonable for us to achieve in a very short time frame.” Due to the loss of their Pecks Lane space in August, she said, “We are eager to reopen to the public as soon as possible and hope to do that by the winter of 2015.”

Currently conducting EverWonder On The Road, and bringing their activities to available classrooms and daycare spaces in the region, Ms Barry said members are hoping to rent other spaces. One site in particular may soon become available, but will require fundraising.

“The Fairfield Hills location is something we might want to do in the future, but we are looking at spaces, each with pluses and minuses,” Ms Barry said. She anticipates launching a capital campaign if a location is feasible.

For now, she said, “We are looking for bookings in schools and daycares and seeking sponsors.”