To the Editor:

I am writing as a resident and not a member of the Newtown Community Center Commission.

On Tuesday April 5th at the Middle School I urge you to vote YES in the referendum for the proposed community center.

In the Spring of 2013, GE gave us a generous offer of $10 million for the building of a community center and $5 million toward the operating costs of it. It is time we give this gift to the residents of New-town. GE's generosity, along with $5 million of bonded money will provide a wonderful gathering place for our community.

I was proud to work on the Newtown Community Center Commission with a very diversified and talented group of individuals. It included several members that had worked for GE and several family members of the victims from the 12/14 tragedy.  While we disagreed more than we agreed at times, we were all committed to ensuring that what we proposed was based on what we heard from the community.

After hundred of emails, voter input at our meetings, personal discussions, a town-wide survey and eight separate community forums we felt that we did everything we could to listen to the Newtown community.

As one would expect, there were many different opinions on what should be built with the GE donation. Ultimately, what the Newtown Community Center Commission recommended was what we felt was most representative of what our community told us.

The proposal is for a multi-generational center that is flexible for many different uses and has an aquatics component that includes a competitive style pool plus a zero entry pool.

The core multi-functional space of the community center can be used for just about any activity. Visualize a "great room" with a commercial kitchen attached.  Activities in this area could include small concerts, jam sessions, theater activities, lectures, poetry slams,  banquets, large scale art sessions, beer and wine tastings for the adults, a yoga fest or a teens only band night.

Other activities in this hub could include targeted sessions for the physically challenged and mental health needs, pottery making, art lessons, card games, senior exercise classes, jewelry making, juggling classes and technology help sessions.  Activities are only limited by your imagination.

The zero entry pool is an asset for the young, the old and those with disabilities. The warmer water is perfect for senior aqua exercise classes, Mommy and Me classes, and swim lessons for toddlers. It provides easy access for those that might require it.

The larger competitive pool provides not only the obvious lap swimming and some practice time for our swim teams, but can also support family or youth water games, water polo, swimming lessons, training for organizations such as Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue, and scuba diving and life-guard certification classes.

Please take the time to vote Yes so we can provide this wonderful asset to our community.

Carla Kron

4 Clapboard Ridge Road, Sandy Hook     March 30, 2016