Creating a place that offers a destination, “feels like an experience,” and serves as a “place to gather,” are just some of the “takeaways” of what the public wants in a community center.

Newtown Community Center Commission (NCCC) members Tuesday evening looked at feedback from its outreach, including a recent online survey completed by more than 3,400 people, public discussions, site visits, and more, as they begin to apply what they have learned to center planning. They anticipate another meeting as soon as next Wednesday, November 18, to continue discussions.

As of this week, residents can view the commission’s Facebook page for a “sneak peek” at survey results. An online survey that was up for nearly a month had closed in October. According to a recent NCCC Facebook post, commissioners hope to have the entire survey results up this week, and available through the town website.

Sneak peeks include survey data revealing that an indoor aquatic center gained a 32 percent ranking as most desirable with just six percent rating it as least desirable. An ice rink, although gaining a 30 percent most desirable ranking, also received a 25 percent rating of least desirable.

has also been broken down into pie charts, which will be available through the Newtown website.Survey data

Other data shows that more than 70 percent of those who responded have a child of some age at home. Half of respondents are between 40 and 55 years old. The survey revealed the public’s preferences in multigenerational uses, and flexible uses of indoor and outdoor spaces.

A large word collage representing programming ideas includes ceramics, culinary, multigenerational, yoga, career, senior, family, education, youth, parenting, arts, counseling, and many more, was used at the November 10 meeting.

Bill Buchler spoke about the survey findings, noting some of the “big things” from the survey are preferences to serve multigenerational groups, connecting generations, and “being together was huge,” he said.

First Selectman Pat Llodra earlier this year charged the commission to develop a proposal for construction and operation of a new community center using the gift of $10 million from the GE Foundation in the wake of 12/14 for the purpose of building a center, and another $5 million to support operations for the facility’s first five years.

Stakeholders

David Wheeler on Tuesday offered a “high altitude look” at what he and a commission subcommittee had learned from speaking with stakeholders, those groups of people who hold an interest in using the center for space and programming or other “particular pursuits,” he said.

Speaking in “very general terms,” he said the most requested item from stakeholders is meeting space, flexible indoor spaces for physical activity, arts, and sciences. He has the impression of a great room that can be divided into smaller spaces with multiple groups doing things at the same time, he said.

Outdoor space should also be flexible. Many people wanted games, activities, and proximity to trails, he said.

An aquatic facility was high on the list along, with a media center and flexible performance space. A commercial kitchen and banquet facility also are high on the list, Mr Wheeler said. Exhibit and gallery space, and storage are also important.

Some “interesting ideas” to come of his research are an outdoor amphitheater, retail/bookstore/café, emergency shelter, and recording studio.

He stressed again that meeting space, and flexible indoor and outdoor space were “by and far the largest interests from stakeholders.”

Mr Wheeler also said that the families of those killed on 12/14 asked for dedicated informational space where the legacy organizations that grew out of that tragedy can offer their information.

Costs Estimates

Members also looked at cost estimates to see what could be feasible. With configurations including an aquatic center, an ice rink, and various arrangements of features both large and small — some exceeding the $10 million — First Selectman Pat Llodra suggested members begin planning with the $10 million “before you start value engineering.”

She advised them to bring a plan forward.

“Come to the Board of Selectmen with the big idea.” This is their one opportunity to “do the wow,” she said. If more than $10 million is needed, the request for funds goes to a town meeting and vote.

John Boccuzzi, Sr, felt the commission had an obligation to plan within the $10 million.

“That contradicts what [Mrs Llodra] told us,” member Rob Cox said. He questioned Mr Boccuzzi’s constraints.

The first proposal to use the GE gift, just prior to the commission being formed, had failed, Mr Boccuzzi said.

“It wasn’t because of money, it was because of design,” Mr Cox said.

Mrs Llodra said to “not try” to plan what they could achieve is a disservice to the community.

Sean Dunn asked what would happen if they arrived at a $15 million proposal, for example, that is self sustaining and doesn’t cost the taxpayers.

When they arrive at the end of their planning they may have ideas of what can happen for say $10 million, or $12 million, or even $15 million.

“But you’re not there yet,” Mrs Llodra said. “Bring forward a concept,” she advised. She also wants to see business models.

Carla Kron noted that the town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in the next two years has an additional $15 million, which may or may not be approved, as the town reviews and adopts a CIP annually.

Conversation turned toward the next steps and how they, as a group, could arrive at a proposal.

Site Visits

Ms Kron offered her impressions based on site visits to nearby facilities. She noted the use of wide hallways provided a place to “hang out.” She warns against duplicating anything at NYA Sports & Fitness Center, which will probably be adjacent to or very close to a community center when one is built. She also stressed the importance of programming offered to the community.

Hire an experienced director for the facility, which is “so important,” she said. Bill Buchler also strongly supports a full-time director.

Member Kinga Walsh warned that an estimated $250 per square foot to build a center may by too low, and $350 is closer to a realistic construction number.