Renovated Baldwin Center Reopens In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — The official reopening of the Baldwin Center in Stratford was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

More than $1 million in just-completed renovations and upgrades went into the facility for seniors and the greater community.

While the Baldwin Center was closed for safety reasons during COVID-19 related shutdowns, the town took the opportunity to do a wide array of improvements that had been planned by Mayor Laura R. Hoydick’s administration.

“We are all thrilled to see the broad offerings of in-person community activities that our Baldwin Center hosts get back into full swing,” Hoydick said. “We saw the opportunity to make a lot of improvements at the Baldwin Center in a short amount of time without interfering with the normal activities there. Much-needed upgrades and many other improvements are now completed, and it is wonderful to be here today to see the residents enjoying the facility once again and reconnecting with friends.

“I am so proud of our town and how we work together to get things done for the good of the community.”

State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) said it was “great to see so many Stratford seniors in the newly renovated center today.”

“This center is a pillar of our community, connecting seniors with education, services and one another, Kelly said in a statement. “I want to thank all those who worked together to bring us to this day. Our community deeply appreciates all those who work every day to provide such a valuable space and programming for local seniors."

Read more from the Town Hall news release below:

Arriving visitors were impressed with the fresh coat of paint on the exterior of the building, which is behind the historic Perry House on West Broad Street. Some noticed the new railing around the bocce court that sits beside The Burying Ground across the fence.

Inside the Baldwin Center, improvements on the first floor are highlighted by the removal of a wall that created increased capacity and comfort in the conference room. A coat closet has replaced unsightly coat racks in the Main Hall, and another closet was added in the coffee shop for better storage and easier access to the games and puzzles.

Throughout the center, visitors will find new flooring, new fixtures, updated restrooms, fresh painted walls, and new furniture. Many of the program rooms are now outfitted with video monitors to enhance presentations by staff and the community. Baldwin Center hosted up to 1,500 visitors every week before the pandemic.

Less conspicuous, yet still very important to the overall operation of the center, are new boilers for more efficient heating, the elevator in full service, and offices that have been refreshed and redesigned to maximize work area efficiency. Downstairs, a more spacious game room has been created by removing a wall between the ping-pong room and an adjacent smaller room.

The renovation and upgrade project was managed by Stratford Public Works under the leadership of Director Raynae Serra.

Tammy Trojanowski, the Town of Stratford’s Director of Community and Senior Services, which operates the Baldwin Center, likened the renovation project to a popular reality television home makeover program. “The Extreme Makeover - Baldwin Edition is worthy of an Emmy Award!” she said.

“We now have a more welcoming and multi-functional space,” Trojanowski said. “Our residents love it.”

In addition to all of the renovations, The Baldwin Center will soon receive a new 15-person bus, which was acquired through a state grant, for transporting local seniors and those with disabilities.

Among those in the large crowd celebrating the reopening of the improved Baldwin Center was resident Ron Tichy, who was a member of the Town Council representing the Baldwin Center’s district when Mayor Hoydick’s administration started finalizing plans in 2019 to upgrade the facility. “I am so appreciative of the Mayor and the Department of Public Works for following through on this project,” said Tichy.

The project was funded through the Town’s Capital Improvement Program. In FY ’20, with Councilor Tichy’s advocacy, the Council authorized $800,000. In FY ’21 another $200,000 was authorized, and in FY’22 an additional $200,000 was authorized. In addition, CDBG funds in the amount of $350,000 were allocated in Program Year 45 for a total of $1.55 million allocated to the project with $1.4 million spent to date.

Stratford Senior Services’ mission is to enhance the quality of life within the senior community by providing services with professionalism and a commitment to excellence. They describe the Baldwin Center as “a place for social connection, learning and a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Regular hours at the Baldwin Center are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit StratfordCT.gov/Departments/Senior Services, or call 203-385-4050.