Optimism for a Brief 'Hibernation' of Chalk Hill

Board of Finance members are now calling any closing of Chalk Hill "hibernating" rather than "mothballing", to represent the optimism that a revenue plan needed to keep it open will come together quickly.

The town would run a deficit of over $200,000 to keep the building open. But the Board of Finance will strongly consider keeping it open if a plan to generate enough revenue to break even or turn a profit is presented by June 1.

Several residents presented ideas to the board at its meeting Wednesday night. Options included an art school, yoga classes, a teen night, an expansion of the Monroe Early Learning Center (a private daycare that already leases space in the building), and the possibility of the Board of Education housing its alternative school there.

"Thank you very much for coming," Chairman Mark Reed said. "You just gave us details that we did not have."

He encouraged the women to keep working with the first selectman and with the new Parks & Recreation director on solidifying a plan.

Richard Zini, who is chairman of the Capital Infrastructure Facility Asset Planning Subcommittee, attended the meeting and said CIFAP will host a public hearing on the future of Chalk Hill in April.

He asked that all types of businesses that may be proposed be listed to determine if any changes to zoning in the area would be needed. Zini is also chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission. CIFAP is the commission's subcommittee.

Options Shared

Dawn Ryan, owner and director of the Monroe Early Learning Center, said the daycare currently leases two classrooms for $12,000, but that it could expand to a third classroom and pay $20,000.

A number of the parents who bring their children to the daycare are also interested in a zumba class offered in the building — generating more revenue, according to Ryan.

Kim Henderson of Studio on the Move wants to hold art classes for people from age two to adults. She noted the need in town after the recent closing of All About Art and expressed her hope of running an art school out of Chalk Hill.

Henderson said all programs run under the Parks & Recreation Department gives 25 percent of the revenue to the town agency.

Kelly Plunkett spoke of a woman who can offer cooking classes using Chalk Hill's kitchen. And Elaina Weiser said she could bring in revenue by teaching yoga.

Lya Shulz is involved in youth soccer and cheerleading and said parents have often had to pay to use out-of-town facilities when Chalk Hill was empty. If the town decides to keep the building open, she said she will encourage the organizations to use Chalk Hill instead.

Jennifer Aguilar said Teen Night makes about $3,000 per event for the YMCA, adding the same thing can be offered at Chalk Hill, which has pool tables, foosball and ping pong tables, air hockey and a basketball court.

Plunkett said that would also offer something for older kids to do that is cheap and safe.

If the Board of Education houses its alternative school at Chalk Hill, Plunkett (who is a school board member) said that would bring in about $40,000.

Plunkett said "mothballing" Chalk Hill would discourage businesses from commiting to moving there.

"We are asking that you say you are funding Chalk Hill at the mothball level and that it is now up to the first selectman and the Parks & Recreation director to submit a plan that's revenue generating or revenue neutral by June 1," Plunkett said. "Without the proper messaging, you're sealing the fate of this building."

Reed said a plan that would be revenue neutral or close to neutral would make every Board of Finance member "ecstatic" because they all want to keep Chalk Hill open.

"It's the board's responsibility to work with the numbers. It was our duty as financial overseers of the town not to let that go by," Reed said of estimates of running a deficit by keeping Chalk Hill open without a plan. "But we're encouraged."