What Could New WeHa Community Center/Library Look Like? What You Need To Know

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Two West Hartford Town Council subcommittees this week received a formal, sneak peak at what a new community/senior/teen center and library could look like.

But, according to the town-hired architectural consultants who put together a final feasibility study for the project, it won't come cheap.

In fact, the report submitted Wednesday by Tecton Architects out of Hartford shows a total project cost of $66.45 million for an 82,000-square-feet combined facility at 100 Mayflower St.

In 2021, West Hartford purchased the old St. Brigid School site, which encompasses 8.5 acres in the Elmwood section of town at 100 Mayflower St., for $3 million, with the state reimbursing most of that figure.

The project would, eventually, replace the community center and library in the Elmwood section of town, as those buildings are seen as being antiquated.

With a report in hand, the full town council now has plenty of decisions to make regarding its future size and scope, as well as hiring an architectual firm to conduct final design plans.

Ultimately, voters will have to go the polls and, eventually, commit to a dollar amount associated with the project.

The process to completion is likely still measured in years.

Wednesday, Tecton provided an in-depth presentation on its study to the council's community planning and economic development committee and the council's finance and administration committee, both comprised of select council members.

At Wednesday's joint subcommittee meeting, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor thanked the architects, town officials and community volunteers who all worked toward the study.

"It's very, very comprehensive," Cantor said. "Of course there are always tradeoffs and nothing can be just the way everyone wants it, but this is an aspirational project."

In prepping for the study, Tecton worked with local committees and town staff as well as multiple public forums and listening sessions with residents.

In the end, Tecton's study shows, simply, what this massive project that will benefit multiple municipal organizations and residents could look like.

"This study is a result of many months of work that began last May and June and began when the council tasked us with conducting a functional program and feasibility study to determine how we could combined the current Elmwood Community Center/Senior Center/Teen Center with the Faxon Library and locate this combined space at 100 Mayflower St.," West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith said.

"It's been a really wonderful project and there's been a true spirit of camaraderie among all of us," said Tecton representative Edward Widofsky at Wednesday's virtual meeting.

Tecton's 41-page report details some estimated cost figures for a full-scope project and includes detailed floor plans and architectural renderings of what could go at 100 Mayflower St.

According to Tecton's report, the goal is to "create a welcoming, multi-generational cultural destination."

That destination, according to the report, includes everything from gyms to libraries to meeting spaces and, even, a coffee bar — for all ages and interests.

What type of building would go there is still to be decided, with Tecton providing options for a renovation of the existing St. Brigid School building and/or a plan to demolish the school and build a new facility completely.

Ledwith admitted the endeavor to build such a large, combined facility did have some folks wishing for more space, such as more senior center space or more teen center and/or library space.

But, he said, the opportunity for a "unique," combined facility is ultimately what team members working for and with Tecton decided would be best.

"That's a challenge we had to deal with as a team, but in the end, creating that unique community center that we've designed for you this evening provides a lot for a lot of different groups," Ledwith said. "A little more space would be great, but we're at 80,000 square feet."

One sentiment that was clear to organizers was the desire to continue having the West Hartford Dog Park at its location there as well.

A temporary dog park opened at 100 Mayflower St. late last summer and it has been well-used, according to Ledwith.

"We know the dog lover community would love to see that space remain," he said.

To see the full, West Harford Community/Senior/Teen Center and Library feasability study, click on this link.

From Oct. 25: 'Community To Weigh In On Elmwood Community Center Project'