Hamlin Community Center Committee
asks for residents' input

Hamlin residents are invited to attend the upcoming Community Center Committee Meeting at the Town Hall January 28 at 7 p.m. This will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposed project and even join a subcommittee if interested.

To date, subcommittees have been assigned to the following areas: researching potential locations, developing architectural designs and plans, cost analysis, researching funding sources, and communications and publications.

The committee, which began its work in July and meets monthly, is still in the feasibility study phase. Before this project can become a reality it will have to go before the public for a vote.

Monica Seeley, a committee leader, said she believes this project will be more appealing than a previous proposal for a recreation center. Hamlin residents voted down the recreation center concept.

In a written statement, the Community Center Committee said it visualizes this facility as "a social, recreational, and intellectual gathering place for everyone in the town." Seeley said the key difference is that the concept this committee will be presenting takes into account the needs of Hamlin residents of all ages.

Some possible ideas for the center include: an after hours medical center, an industrial kitchen with a dining hall, a rehab pool, and a skate park. Seeley, who volunteers as a youth minister at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, said she is interested in trying to address a social issue she has observed.

"I think right now there is a big division between generations. Our youth do not interact with our seniors at all," said Seeley. "This center will do a lot to bring the generations and the community together."

Seeley said the concepts for the facility may change many times before it is ever presented.

"We did a pie in the sky outline of what we would like to see," said Seeley. "A lot of this will depend on how much available funding is out there."

Hamlin residents who are interested in the project are encouraged to attend the January 28 meeting. Questions may be directed to committee leaders Diane Henneky at 659-2875 or Monica Seeley at 964-5806.