Westbrook Community Center Feasibility Final[1]

8/7/2019 Westbrook Community Center Feasibility Final[1]

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Community Center Discussion

Westbrook, CT

February 17, 2011


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Project Background &Purpose

To prepare a Community Centerfeasibility analysis

Information gathering Meeting with Community Center Ad-

Hoc Committee

Interview key stakeholders

Research other successfulCommunity Centers

Financial feasibility & funding


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Public Meeting Goals

Inform about schedule of study

Discuss need for Community Center

Obtain community inputAnswer questions


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Keep In Mind

Opportunity for everyone to sharethoughts and ideas

Stay on topic Courtesy

Questions welcome


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Benefits of local Community Services

availability

keeps kids off streets

keeps kids occupied

community awareness

feeling good becauseyou are there exercise, conditioning,fitness, good health

getting to know peoplegroup participation

interaction of adults and kids

team spirit exposure to new activities

personal

social

"The Benefits of Local Recreation and Park Services - A Nationwide Study of the Perceptions of the American Public"1992, Penn State University


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What would a successfulCommunity Center be? A true community center

Accessible to entire community (seniors,adults, teens, youth, toddler)

Feasible, have public acceptance andsupport

Giving youth/teens structured options foractivities that would serve their interests

Having option for youth/teens onevenings/weekends and after school

Strong family campaign!

Positive/neutral impact on Town budget


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Advantages of a CommunityCenter

Provides Town with a central gatheringspace for events

Designated spaces for Park & Recreation

activities Opportunities for programming not currently

available More daytime programming

More community meeting spaces Improved community health & wellness Increased options for youth/teens after

school and on weekends Helps build Westbrook community feel


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Growth of Parks &Recreation Programming Increased participation

Winter programs 34% between 2009-2010

Fall programs 27% between 2009-2010

Spring, summer slight decreases

Potential to increase the amount of adultprogramming/continuing education

Potential to increase daytime programmingspace (currently Town Hall)

Currently program is budget neutral


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Community ProgramParticipation

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

#

ofParticipants

281 282

236226

176

235

320

339

Spring 2009 Summer 2009 Fall 2009 Winter 2009 Spring 2010 Summer 2010 Fall 2010 Winter 2010

Session


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Existing CommunityProgramming

Since Spring 2009, staffed &sponsored 75+ separate programs for

youths and adults In past 3 years, over 175 programs

have been run (some programs arerun more than one season, i.e.soccer, babysitting course, Sr.aerobics)


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Community RecreationProgram Participation

Since Spring 2008, over 2,500 peoplehave participated in a Westbrook

recreation program Many residents participate

consistently in programs offered


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Top 15 Most PopularCommunity Programs*

Karate

Summer Day Camp

Teen Camp

Recreational Soccer

Little Folks Camp

Challenger Soccer

USA Field HockeyCamp

Slamma JammaBasketball Camp

Yoga

Tennis Camp

Pilates

Zumba

Tot Soccer

Middle School

Basketball Aerobics & Strength

*since 2008


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Facilities Currently Used forProgramming (when available)

Middle School Gym

Westbrook High School

Teresa Mulvey Municipal Building Westbrook Middle School

Daisy Ingraham Gym

Westbrook Town Beach Westbrook Public Library

Daisy Ingraham Elementary School


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Facilities Currently Used forProgramming (when available)

High/Middle

Schools

Daisy

Ingraham/Public

Library

Municipal

Building


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Needs Analysis

Kids have no place to go/hang out No Teen Center

Gym schedules are very full Finding room for sports practices is

challenging

Logistics of finding available space

complicated/challenging YMCA

Higher cost of programs

Few opportunities for unstructured use


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Needs Analysis

Issues identified to date: Recreation Department limited in

programming they can develop/offer

POCD workshop - residents identifiedthree items that they were proud of inWestbrook which relate to parks andrecreation, they included: openspace/parks, town facilities, and the

Recreation Department POCD workshop - Reference was also

made to the fact that teenagers may needmore activity options in town such as askate park or youth/community center


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Needs Analysis

Healthy Communities Healthy YouthInitiative

Survey conducted in 2009 to obtain abaseline for the community whereWestbrook is with assets youth

Youth programs listed on survey as one ofWestbrooks power assets

Initiative found that the more connection wemake with kids, the better off they are!


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Needs Analysis

Would help Westbrooksupport and encouragehealthy lifestyles for

residents Ever escalating cost of

health care

Well documented thatrecreation participation

results in healthier living,ultimately helping toalleviate cost of health care


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What the kids say

YES! We need a community center/teencenter (said 88% of respondents) Rock climbing wall

Basketball

Video games

Arts/crafts/fashion

Games, dance Pool table

Kitchen/snack area

Source: WMS/WHS Teen Recreation Center Survey Results - 3/5/2010 survey


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What about Valley ShoreYMCA?

Private membership

Membership ranges monthly from $13.25 foryouth to $63.25 for family

Program membership for $60.00/annual,each program also has an associated cost

Regional in nature

Using space there not an option Space limitations (YMCA uses Daisy

Ingraham for after school program)


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With more space we could

Put a large emphasis on programming

Type, quantity, diversity, reliability

Have a community focused facilitythat would meet the needs of seniors,adults, teens, youth, toddlers

Offer our youth a place to be a kid in asafe, supportive environment


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With more space we could

Kickball Additional Photography

Programs Computer

Programs/Classes Ballroom Dancing Hip Hop Dancing Salsa Dancing Preschool Programming Wiffle Ball Flag Football Gymnastics Adult education Square dancing

Open Adult Basketball Additional exercise

classes (Senior ChairYoga, Sit Down, Shape

Up) Additional Indoor Soccer

Programming Friday Night Fun Program Weekend Family Sports

Events (Parents vs. KidsDodgeball) Mom, Dad & Tot

Programs Inter-generational events Other


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Community CenterProfiles


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Old Saybrook, CT

Kickball Additional Photography

Programs

Computer Programs/Classes Preschool Programming Ballroom Dancing Swing Dancing

Salsa Dancing Wiffle Ball Flag Football 2000 population 10,367


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Easton, CT

Community Center offerings: Adult enrichment, fitness, leagues

Youth enrichment, sports

Child care, vacation camps Before/after school care

Toddler programming, other

Initial funding a $1M donation, took a lot of

fundraising, planning; also received $200kstate grant

2000 population - 7,200


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South Windsor, CT

Community Center with adult/seniorand youth/teen services and programs

(enrichment, sports, leagues,community service)

Has space available for rentalpurposes for residents

Operate a teen center 6 days week

2000 population - 24,500


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Next Steps

Completed by March 2011

Existing conditions

Needs analysis Financial analysis

Funding sources

Follow up with Rich Annino and NoelBishop for any future discussion


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Westbrook Community Center Feasibility Final[1]

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