Pomfret Community Center Renovation Underway
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
POMFRET — Like many towns in the Quiet Corner, the programs for senior citizens in Pomfret, Eastford and Woodstock are taking off.
Pomfret is finishing the renovation of the Pomfret Community Center to allow for more programming not only for senior citizens, but for the community at large.
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson said the renovations should be finished by the end of February. In the meantime, the Food Pantry, in the basement, will remain open from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for Feb. 25 and 27. Meetings are being held at Pomfret Community School or the Town Hall and senior programming is in the Christ Church.
“The building was originally a Grange Hall and had a stage to accommodate various performers and evenings of entertainment. When purchased by the town, the addition of a kitchen, accessible bathrooms, and basement storage space were constructed. The facility hosts a multitude of community groups, and TEEG-run senior programming three days a week. Pomfret board and commission meetings, Girl Scouts, recreation activities, the Community Market food pantry, and other groups use the space most days of the week,” she said.
Renovations on the main floor include the removal of the stage that had been used by the former owners, the Wolf Den Grange. It was 18 inches high and was not used anymore. The removal will expand the amount of space on the main floor. In addition, the floor is being retiled. That had been done a few years ago, but Nicholson said that it has taken a beating. “There’s a lot of traffic on that floor,” she said.
It will be a bigger brighter space which will allow more people and more programs. The price tag, about $32,000, is being paid for with ARPA grant funds from Senior Resources’ allocation for Pomfret, Woodstock, and Eastford.
Pomfret serves 20-24 seniors now. She said she expects seniors from Eastford and Woodstock to come, too. When it reopens in March, “all local seniors are welcome to join the fun Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a TVCCA free (donations accepted) lunch served each day with advance registration. There are creative activities and programming provided by TEEG. Call TEEG for additional details on the Senior Programming: 860-923-3458.”
She said Recreation Director Carrie Wolfe is planning more programs for seniors, too.
In addition, using funding from Senior Resource, Pomfret now has a van which will be used for more senior trips and more.
In the basement, a space will be renovated for the Pomfret Historical Society to store its “records, archives and valuables, whatever they might need to store,” she said.
“We very much look forward the enlarged space to accommodate larger groups and more community activities,” Nicholson said.
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