Though removed from the original plans when the community center was built years ago, the Town has gotten another chance at building an outdoor patio area for the senior center as it has received grant money.

The Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council at September meetings approved a $60,674 grant from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability. The grant originated from the American Rescue Plan; the state was given $10 million for senior centers statewide and $9 million of that to go to municipal senior centers.

This money is separate from the $7.5 million in ARP funds the Town of Newtown received directly, according to Senior Center Coordinator Natalie Jackson.

The money allotted to each senior center through the State Department of Aging and Disability was $5,000 for each, with additional funding determined by census data and town demographics.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said at the council meeting that the outdoor area was in the original design of the Community Center, but had to be removed to keep the project within budget.

The Department of Aging and Disability asked the local senior centers to make sure the funding was used for combatting the effects of the pandemic on the population.

“We tossed around a lot of ideas on how to use it,” said Jackson.

Jackson noted that the Senior Center was closed during the pandemic, and the focus was on using the building for vaccinations. Following the pandemic, the Senior Center was looking for ways to offer outdoor programming, including parking lot events. They also did outdoor classes and social groups.

“Folks enjoyed the added level of security from being outdoors,” said Jackson.

The outdoor area will include a paver patio, an awning, and some immovable tables provided there is enough money. Additional tables and chairs will be able to be brought outside as events require.

“We’re dreaming big,” said Jackson. “This is a great way to bring an outdoor area back into the footprint of the senior center.

The outdoor area will be used for programming, outdoor dining for people to bring lunches and sit and eat, as well as informal socialization, Jackson said.

“So far the feedback from people has been really positive — they’re excited at the prospect of expanded usage of space outside,” said Jackson.

The project is still in the initial planning and there is no current time line for completion.

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Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.