Newtown Selectmen Advance $1.5 Million Community Center Splash Pad And Storage Project

NEWTOWN, CT — The Board of Selectmen has authorized a $375,000 special appropriation to support the planned splash pad and storage facility at the Newtown Community Center, moving the long-discussed project forward.

The vote came during the board’s Sept. 2 meeting and followed an updated cost estimate showing the splash pad alone rising from $525,000 to $1 million. Combined with a proposed $500,000 storage facility, the total project is now expected to cost $1.5 million.

Funding will come from a mix of sources. The town has already secured a $600,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant from the state, while $900,000 will be covered through the Community Center’s special revenue fund. Officials emphasized that no taxpayer dollars will be used.

The storage facility, which was originally planned for 2027, will now be advanced to 2026. It is intended to house building supplies and pool chemicals on site, eliminating the need for off-site storage. It will also contain the mechanical systems required for the splash pad, making the two projects operationally linked.

First Selectman Jeff Capeci said the splash pad is designed to ease pressure on the center’s indoor pool, which has seen heavy use during summer months, especially with growth in day camp enrollment. The new amenity is expected to draw families, generate additional revenue, and provide an alternative in case the indoor pool undergoes future maintenance closures.

In other updates, Capeci reported progress in talks with WinnDevelopment over lease language for property near Kent and Shelton houses, and said discussions continue regarding railroad crossing issues with state officials. He also acknowledged resident complaints over the process for replacing defective blue garbage bags, clarifying that only the 13-gallon bags were affected by a manufacturing defect and that larger bags are being replaced on a one-for-one basis.

The meeting also included a review of budget forecasts through 2036, showing gradual increases in education and municipal expenditures. Capeci highlighted that the town remains focused on long-term planning while addressing immediate capital needs such as the community center improvements.