The Newtown American Rescue Plan Working Group is continuing to review requests for possible uses of the town's $7.5 million share of federal pandemic relief funds. They heard earlier this month from the Newtown Community Center. Executive Director Matt Ariniello says there are a number of capital projects they are looking to complete. While the new facility was meant to be self-sustaining, they just gained momentum when the pandemic hit due to a forced closure, and then later to capacity restrictions and event cancellations.
Their top priority is $155,000 to complete its patio project. There is a foundation, with water line, lighting and gas line.
Next on their priority list is a splash pad. The cost is estimated at $400,000, but the Friends of the Newtown Community Center would foot half the bill. First Selectman Dan Rosenthal asked that the fundraising be completed before ARPA funds are designated. Plans for a splash pad were removed from the Center's original plans, though water lines were installed with the expectation of the project being done later on.
Other funding requests included $75,000 each toward a storage shed and for a generator.
When the Center was built, General Electric provided a $5 million endowment. $3.7 million is left, but Ariniello says they are trying to save as much as possible for expensive capital projects and cover any budget shortfalls.