The Connecticut Institute For Communities has closed on the purchase of the former YMCA building on Boughton Street in downtown Danbury. Over the next year, the building will be comprehensively refurbished. The plan calls for having the Danbury Community Center as the base of operations for a new Danbury Boys and Girls Club, a chapter of the national Boys and Girls Club organization.
Connecticut Institute For Communities President & CEO James Maloney says they were able to purchase the building with the help of a $2.5 million state grant. The building was purchased for $1,175,000 and the balance will be used for renovations.
The Danbury Community Center will have a swimming pool, gymnasium and activity spaces. Recreational activities will include “senior swim”, swim-safety classes for Danbury school children, basketball and other sports opportunities for local teams and groups.
The building does have a stage, which was decommissioned. It was next to the gym, and it will be put back in. There could then be cultural activities and concerts of children through high school age.
Connecticut Institute For Communities has hired Danbury-based Rizzo Corporation as Construction Manager for the rehabilitation work. It is anticipated that the rehabilitation work will be completed in about 12 months.
