A 50-meter pool is what swim supporters and parents suggested would be ideal as a new community center component, Newtown Community Center Commission members heard Tuesday night during the commission’s latest meeting. Several of the roughly ten meeting attendees had spoken recently at open forums, where commissioners have encouraged residents to discuss community center concepts including a pool/aquatic center, ice rink, senior services, cultural arts activities, and a community place to gather.

Also attending were Commission on Aging Chairman Curt Symes and Rob Kaiser, who said he was there “unofficially” as a member of the arts community.

Members noted that two public forums have already taken place, and two remain. Residents are invited to meet informally with NCCC members on Tuesday, October 13, at 7 pm, at Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road; and Saturday, October 17, at 10 am, at C.H. Booth Library.

The commissioners on October 6 also mentioned the growing number of residents who have taken a survey, which is available by visiting nccsurvey.com. Commission members are using the survey, live Q&A forums, and public comment to help understand the public’s opinion on what should be offered at a community center, which is now in planning stage following a $15 million grant from General Electric in the wake of 12/14.

Glancing at the small group at Tuesday’s meeting, NCCC Co-Chair Andy Clure said he felt that the participation was “awesome,” and what he wanted to see from residents. Audience members can speak for roughly two to three minutes at regular meetings, unlike the upcoming forums, which are designed for questions and conversation.

Resident Tom Horan envisions a pool that during the day, “when it’s quiet, would be available for seniors and the community. A therapy pool is important too, for those who are physically impaired.”

Following Mr Horan’s comments, Mr Symes said, “If you look at the aging population, some programs are growing like wildfire.” Pools can be used for aquacize, to benefit those with arthritis. With the growing elderly population, he said, “We’ll see a distinct need and demand for that component.”

Resident and parent Melissa Horan said that she, as a member of the swim community, had in past months made a presentation to a prior community center planning group, which has since dissolved. While handing out a packet detailing Newtown’s pool needs and information on 50-meter pools and the possibilities it offers, she said of the community center plans, “Whatever this ends up being — a pool, arts — it will be fantastic.”

Touting benefits of a pool, she mentioned learning to swim, aquacize, and scuba training. “All of that can be accomplished.” She said that the high school and Treadwell Park pools were open briefly, and “it’s hard to get pool time.”

A 50-meter pool “can do many things at once,” she said. Barriers can separate the pool in half or into thirds for multiple activities. Also the 50-meter competition-size pool could generate revenue through rental.

Swim parent Susan Ludwig last year had started a petition and collected several hundred signatures supporting a 50-meter pool.

“There is definite revenue to be made from a pool,” and guests there might choose to dine in Newtown before returning home, she said. “It would bring revenue to the community.”

Okan Akbas said that “having a flagship center” with an ice rink, a pool, and arts and multipurpose space “would be a real sell for people who want to move here.” He also said a pool or ice rink would be “a revenue generator and kick-start the economy at Fairfield Hills.”

Speaking next was Tricia Gogliettino.

“It’s so important to plan this wonderful center,” she said. Multipurpose, multigenerational spaces, and a pool “are important,” she said. Identifying herself as a physical therapist, she said, “So many patients could use it.” A pool would benefit the town, she said.

Wayne Addessi suggested bringing in people from other centers to speak.

Rob Kaiser said the arts proponents had reached out to professionals who design art space, and wanted that person to make a presentation.

“Let us know, so we can schedule you,” Mr Clure replied.

First Selectman Pat Llodra raised concerns about site costs that may be unknown. Areas where the community center is slated to go at Fairfield Hills contain both wetlands and partial foundations from buildings once there that have been razed. She said costs could be substantial.

Commissioner Bill Buchler asked about past cost assessments to remediate those foundations.

“How do we get that going again?” he said. Mrs Llodra noted that investigation could begin now, “but until you have a plan, a footprint,” costs could not be determined for sure.

Mrs Llodra also reminded commissioners of possible relationships with NYA Sports & Fitness Center, already in place at Fairfield Hills. The community center will sit adjacent to that building, which houses fitness space, an indoor turf field and track, court space, and a refreshment area. Past conversations among officials have included the possibility of the town purchasing the NYA facility to incorporate that space into community center plans.

Mrs Llodra also asked commissioners to be aware of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which budgets for large future projects. Community center funds have been built into the CIP in past years as the town, prior to GE’s gift, made plans to build a community center. Various renditions of that planning have not come to fruition. She asked them to think about what those relationships could look like.

Regarding community center plans that the commissioners will develop after assessing survey results and concluding the open forums, commissioner Sheila Torres asked, “Can we present several options?”

David Wheeler agreed that “it shouldn’t be an all or nothing approach.”

Commission members also discussed about stakeholders — those factions of the community with an interest in using a new facility — and ideas emerging, including meeting space, display space, a gathering place, kitchen, storage, teen and senior space, and stage space.

Commissioner Sean Dunn has been gathering financial information for a pool, ice rink, and multipurpose center, and estimated that combining those three elements would exhaust the $10 million earmarked for a build. The remaining $5 million is intended to support programming at $1 million a year for five years, per the GE gift. The $10 million would barely cover those three things, without including storage, a locker room, heat, etc, he said.

Building “everything, all the extras,” will be difficult, members agreed.

John Boccuzzi, Sr, said, “We’re going to have to make hard decisions; whatever we do, we should do it right.” He wants to see what is “most useful for this community.”

Echoing what he has stressed at past NCCC meetings, Mr Buchler said they need to have something with “wow.”

Next discussing who they might invite to speak — architects, other professionals from similar facilities — Mr Clure said, “Let’s reach out, get some qualitative feedback.”

Mr Buchler also wants to see where they survey results will lead.

Commissioner Kinga Walsh felt that speaking with the Fairfield Hills Authority and learning their plans was “imperative.”

Regarding the survey, which will go offline at midnight Saturday, October 10, Mr Clure said he will begin to review the data after that time.

Members broke into general discussion about who would be responsible for the community center programming once the center is built. Answers to the questions could be that a commission handles it, or a professional, the parks and recreation staff.

“It’s evident to me that we need a professional director,” Carla Kron said.