Construction is underway for the Newtown Community Center. This project was brought to life by a $15 million gift to the town from General Electric following the tragic incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School. To Design was engaged to be part of the project team to identify programming, develop schematic designs, produce construction documents, and administer the constructon process for this multi-phase project.
Sited on the former Fairfield Hills State Hospital Campus, this location is rich in Connecticut history. Fairfield State Hospital opened in 1931 to house overflow patients from other state hospitals. Operation of the psychiatric hospital closed in 1995, and in 2001, the 185-acre campus was purchased by Newtown from state ownership. Various buildings and outdoor sites have been repurposed for municipal, commercial, and recreational use. In 2016, the 225,000-square-foot Canaan House was deemed unsuitable for reuse, and was demolished to make way for the new community center.
Newtown intends to use this new center for community banquets, town-wide gatherings, and other large events. Site design elements will include a swimming facility, senior center, adequate parking, several outdoor patio areas, significant plantings and pavement treatments, rain gardens, a green, and potentially a band shell and amphitheater. Outdoor amenities will cater to the prospective size of future town events.
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