Hamlin Community Center study
presented to town council members

After more than four years of exploration and investigation, the Town of Hamlin's Community Center Exploratory Committee has completed its mission - the next steps need to be taken by the town council.

The group was charged with gathering information on the possibility of the construction of a community center that would be home to the town library, have an area for recreation and meeting space for senior citizens groups. "The idea was to look into plans for a facility that would meet the needs of all of the groups within the town," committee member Diane Hennekey said. The group had undertaken a community-wide survey to gauge community interest and gather input and that information was compiled in the committee's report and presented to the town board at its March 12 meeting.

The costs associated with the construction of a building which could be in the neighborhood of 50,000 square feet were not released as there has been no architectural drawings rendered.

Hennekey pointed to the Town of Ogden and Perinton's centers as potential models for Hamlin's facility. "In Perinton, money was raised through fundraising and the town officials set money aside for five years before construction was started," Hennekey said.

An audience member pointed out that Hamlin can't be compared to Perinton because of its tax base and population. "Believe me, we aren't looking to do this and to raise taxes - I don't want my taxes raised - we are looking at a community center as a place that would be open to everyone in the community - a gathering place," Hennekey said.

Following the meeting, Supervisor Dennis Roach said the board will look at the facts and figures given to them by the committee and decide whether it would meet the needs of the special interest groups within the community. 'There has been a desire for a community center as there is a lack of space for community events," he said. "The motivation behind the committee's work was to compile this information, which we will now look into."

March 18, 2007