Envisioning A Multipurpose Community Center At Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

Fairfield Hills development plans may prompt a reluctant relationship between the town’s seniors and the recreation department, which both seek space on the former state hospital campus. Also in past years, both have eyed the sprawling 180-plus acres of town land as an opportunity for a parcel, building, or both for expansions.

Parks and Recreation Commission Acting Chairman Edward Marks sees ideal options narrowing. “[The Fairfield Hills Authority] is moving ahead quickly,” he said, “If we wait too long then Fairfield Hills is no longer a viable spot.” With the hopes of spurring along both municipal and economic life in Newtown, the Fairfield Hills Authority steers concurrent plans to demolish and refurbish the deteriorated buildings and grounds for municipal, public, and commercial uses and generate an appeal to developers and outside commerce.

The former state hospital is now a collection of vacant brick structures encompassed by passive recreational space for sports or hiking, and is poised for lease to outside firms.

In his mind is one particular scenario he wishes to avoid. Mr Marks said, “I would hate to see one of us in a place entirely segregated from the rest of the town and Fairfield Hills — we would love to be there if we could.” Picturing the town’s future, he continued, “Our feeling is that Fairfield Hills will become the center of the town…” The authority is currently moving on plans to solicit proposals from firms looking to lease a headquarters, office, or other enterprise. Blueprints for town hall offices, architectural drawings for ball fields, trails, and parking, and a demolition schedule are all progressing.

Mr Marks warned, “It’s my sense that this train is leaving the station at Fairfield Hills…”

The seniors’ and recreation department’s needs led the Board of Selectman to ask if a multiuse facility might suit the two, and potentially an art commission. In past days First Selectman Herb Rosenthal had said a multiuse building was “just a suggestion.”

Discussion stemming from this suggestion began at Tuesday night’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting with some urgency as a handful of Commission on Aging members voiced their concerns.

Introducing the parks and recreation perspective, Mr Marks said, “We’re dying to get started, and the sooner the better. My hope is that we’ll have enough input in the next several months to…look at what is available at Fairfield Hills.” Hoping to further organize his effort to inform the Fairfield Hills Authority about recreation/community center needs, he said, “We’d like everybody on board when we start to look at things we want.” Mr Marks wants to be prepared.

“[We want] to do something with vision for everyone in the town rather than just Parks and Rec.,” he said.

Very specifically, he asked that the Commission on Aging assess and convey its needs.

With timeliness in mind, he said, “I’d like [the Commission on Aging] to come back to us and say, ‘here is what we need for space.’”

Although time is passing and the authority’s plans are gaining momentum, officials, including Mr Rosenthal and authority member Andrew Willie, have been aware of the various town department’s needs for several years.

Despite the current push for organizing needs and formulating plans, he said, “The master plan allows for a [recreation] center regardless of whatever other commerce ventures take place.”

At roughly the time of purchase the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee, predating the authority, issued a reuse plan to include, “Conversion of existing buildings into active recreation facilities including Community/Recreation Center.” Additional details are available at the town’s website, www.newtown-ct.gov.

Further, the Fairfield Hills Master Plan accounts for the needs.

Mr Rosenthal explained that the advisory committee had met with and learned the desires of town departments, various groups, and the public.

“The master plan evolved out of that,” he said.

Specifically, Mr Willie said, “We heard from a lot of people.” He also offered assurances, saying, “We had anticipated a [recreation] center and the seniors.”

Mr Rosenthal said, “Clearly there has always been an opportunity to have that kind of building on campus.” Mr Willie would like to see opportunities for locating a recreation center remain ideal.

Believing the authority will try to accommodate requests, he said, “We would probably ask what they would like to have, [ask] if there is a spot they like, if it’s available…”

“That’s true” that time is a factor, however, Mr Willie said. Pressures from the public and even among friendly circles have accumulated, he explained.

“People think we’re dragging our feet now and we’re trying to go ahead,” he said. Looking back he explained, “Other departments knew about Fairfield Hills for the past five or six years.”

Both the recreation department and seniors had spoken up when officials sought input from town departments in past years.

What Do The Seniors Think?

During Tuesday evening’s Parks and Recreation meeting, Commission on Aging member Edward Rees approached the board with a mixture of reluctance and curiosity.

“This is exploratory on both our sides and we have some reservations…” Already complicating matters, he feels, are plans for a small addition to enhance the existing center on River Road in Sandy Hook.

He did agree to raise the idea of a combined-use building with the rest of his commission, saying, “The more people are interested the faster we can come up with answers…I don’t now if it will be the answers you want, I can’t predict that.” He also argues that shared space could be a problem. Mr Marks responded only with encouraging words saying, “It’s my opinion that you should be able to turn a key and have rooms reserved for you.” Specifically, he said, “I would not be in favor of a building that took away from your dedicated space…you shouldn’t feel someone is trying to take over your space.” He offered his vision of some shared spaces, with other areas dedicated only to the seniors.

Director Barbara Kasbarian noted, “I think that one larger building will be easier to sell [to the public].” She had stressed previously that promoting one building rather than several separate buildings would be easier to present to voters.

The Board of Selectmen, which recently reviewed the town departments’ five-year capital plans, had noted the various groups’ similar requests for funding for increased space. Senior programming and population has far outgrown the Senior Center, as Mr Rees had described, and Parks and Recreation Department offices have no space for programming, Ms Kasbarian explained. Administrative offices are located at Town Hall South below the police station, and program space relies on the schools. Also, the possibility of an Arts Commission soon forming and requiring space may become a reality. Seniors have a 10,000-square-foot image in their minds for the future, while the recreation members picture a facility completed in phases, to include eventually a pool and large gymnasium.