Despite a rainy summer, new construction of the Newtown Community Center and Senior Center is progressing.

Slipping into hardhats and bright yellow safety vests Tuesday afternoon, September 11, Community Center Director Matthew Ariniello and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal left the Newtown Municipal Center in Fairfield Hills and walked across the street to the build site. They joined members of Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction Inc for a quick site tour.

“The walls are up,” along with roof decking and framing, Mr Ariniello said. Stepping across poured concrete slabs, past a locker room area, and then through a space where rooms are taking shape, the group arrived at the aquatic space where pools will go.

Concrete blocks formed a wall defining the shape and size of the aquatic space. Large windows lined the walls.

Around the building were machine operators moving and grading the earth.

Residents interested in seeing the new facility will have several opportunities in October. Join Mr Ariniello on a walk through Fairfield Hills to learn more about the community center and senior center. Discussion will include construction, programming, and membership. Walks are Wednesdays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, at 8:30 am, beginning at the community center site on Simpson Street, across from Newtown Municipal Center.

Register through e-mail at [naviga:u]matt.ariniello@newtown-ct.gov[/naviga:u].

The new 45,860-square-foot building will include separate community center and senior center areas.

The community center’s facilities, totaling approximately 35,210 square feet, will include an arts and crafts room; six multipurpose activity rooms to accommodate activities ranging from music to group gatherings; a commercial kitchen; an approximately 5,000-square-foot banquet room; a six-lane, 25-yard pool; a zero-entry activity pool; and outdoor connections to the surrounding area of the Fairfield Hills campus.

The separate senior center of 9,450 square feet will cater to seniors’ programs and activities and strive to enhance and expand the current program offerings.

The project is funded through a 2013 gift from GE of $15 million for the development, construction, and operation of a community center. From GE is $10 million to design and build and another $5 million to underwrite at least five years of operating expenses.

The town is bonding an additional $5 million approved in the year’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to supplement the initial $10 million capital gift. Another $3 million of CIP money is funding the senior center.