NEWPORT — The Town of Newport has been discussing building a new Community Center to replace the aging Recreation Center for many years.
The current facility operates beyond its capacity, is not ADA accessible, and is in major need of extensive renovation and repair. The current facility serves a large variety of residents from infants to seniors with programs ranging from sports and physical fitness to evening meetings and private birthday parties.
The present Newport Recreation facility and programming hosts nearly 1,000 participants per month that accrue thousands of participation visits each month. Seasonal and dynamic programming allows a more diverse population to experience programs and events offered by Newport Recreation.
Last year a feasibility study was done by Catlin & Petrovick Architects which evaluated three options for a new facility including the renovation and expansion of the current facility, renovation of Towle School, and building a new facility. The study determined that the best option for both price and programming was a new facility.
The Town along with the Community Center Committee determined that the land on Meadow Road where the Cal Ripken Little League Field is located would be the proposed location of a new facility
Bread Loaf Corporation from Middlebury, Vt., was hired in 2018 and after evaluating several Design-Build proposals from teams responding to a formal Request for Proposals. Bread Loaf has evaluated and proposed several options at the location on Meadow Road to the Committee.
Scheme 1 was recently selected by the Committee and schematic design is being finalized at this time. The schematic design has resulted in a preliminary construction budget of $6.6-million including the construction of a 19,720 square foot new building along with the re-construction and re-configuration of the Little League Field which will remain at the same location.
The proposed building includes a 9,000 square foot gymnasium, which can accommodate basketball, volleyball and other associated court sports. The gym can be divided into two areas to allow for multiple games and practices to occupy the space at the same time.
The building also includes several multi-purpose rooms designed to allow for sports activities and non-sport related activities like meetings, presentations, and social events. The facility also includes a concession area designed to serve both the interior spaces of the building and outside events such as baseball games.
The Community Center Committee is focused on designing a building that meets our current and future needs with space that’s flexible enough to accommodate changing needs throughout the community. In addition, the Committee is focused on developing a budget that financially responsible and viable.
The facility is being designed with a focus on the community, both sports and community events for all ages. The plan is to allow residents to use the new facility without membership fees just as the current Recreation Center functions.
The Town of Newport has announced a pledged gift of $1-million from an anonymous donor towards the construction of the new Community Center currently being designed by Bread Loaf Corporation.
The $1-million pledge comes with a community challenge to raise an additional $2-million towards to total project cost which is currently estimated to be approximately $6.6-million. With an overall goal of $3-million dollars in donations and grants the community would be left looking to bond approximately $3-million or just over 50 percent of the project cost.
Currently the fundraising effort totals an additional $250,000 in donations above the $1-million pledge. Friends of Rec have scheduled an event on Jan. 6, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Rally for the “Friends of Rec” will be a gathering of people interested in helping fundraise for the new building.
Volunteers are needed to help organize and run several fundraising events planned in the coming months. Anyone interested in helping out should come to this event and learn about the planned events and sign up to volunteer.
Community members and local businesses that desire to contribute to the fundraising goal are encouraged to reach out to the Recreation Center in Newport at (603) 863-1332 or the Town Manager’s Office at (603) 863-1877.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.