There is something special growing on High Street this year.
After so many years of discussion, several false starts, endless planning and a vote by Newburyport citizens the construction is underway. The 16,000 square foot two story wood-framed facility at 331 High Street will open in early September 2015.
Recently I have especially enjoyed the opportunity to participate in reviewing the Community Center’s interior design features.
A committee including Council on Aging Executive Director Roseann Robillard, fellow COA board member Yvonne McQuillkin, architects, the interior designer and city staff reviewed the building layout and chose furniture, appliances and color schemes for the center.
We chose chairs, fabrics, lighting fixtures, patio furniture, desks, tables and appliances for the domestic kitchen. This was a truly interesting experience.
The Center’s two floors will include: a professional kitchen, domestic kitchen, large community room, living room with fireplace, exercise room, pool room, conference room, boardroom, veterans’ services office, COA Director’s Office, computer classroom, medical/wellness room, arts and crafts room, storage areas, outdoor patio and a bocce court.
The large community room will seat 160 when opened to its full potential.
This will benefit many City events – perhaps even the Literary and Documentary Film Festivals in the future.
Retractable walls can change that big room into two or three separate gathering spaces. The rooms can be used without furniture for exercise or dance; used with chairs only for lectures or performances; set up for ping-pong tournaments, or configured for large dining events. The room also has a stage and screen and a podium for speaking events.
Upstairs, the boardroom can be used for evening meetings. All of these spaces will be available for evening/weekend use by City Boards and Commissions, and can be rented for use by non-City entities.
Room Naming opportunities are still available.
The donation of a seven foot pool table, and seven personal computers would be greatly appreciated.
Residents interested in joining the team of volunteers who will assist in the operation of the Senior/Community Center can request a Volunteer Application at the current Council on Aging Office at 40 Water Street, Newburyport.
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