Fair Haven is set to get a new community center with the help of a $200,000 federal community development grant.
The Community Development Block Grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be used to build a space for the elderly on the second floor of the town offices.
“We have a lot of elderly in the area,” Fair Haven Town Manager Joseph Gunter said. “I envision it as a mult-generational space to bring the elderly together.”
Gunter said there will be televisions and puzzles for the older generation. He’s also considering using the area for recreational purposes with movable basketball nets for the younger generation.
“It’s a big open space,” he said.
The town office was previously a high school. The top floor, formerly a large auditorium, is now being used for storage.
“We hope to be able to rehab the entire upstairs,” Gunter said.
Gunter said the town is completing an environmental review and the architect is finishing up drawings for the space. Gunter said construction could start in November.
“We are very grateful,” he said.
The state awards approximately $7 million annually in grants through Vermont’s Department of Housing and Community Development. Nine towns in nine counties received a total of $2.5 million this summer.
“There’s no shortage of good ideas in Vermont and these grants are a great tool to bring them to life,” Gov Phil Scott said in a press release.
Bridgewater will also benefit from the program with the help of a $30,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study at the former Bridgewater Village School.
The historic school closed in 2015 due to declining enrollment. The 14,000 square-foot building is owned by the town and currently being leased by the new nonprofit Bridgewater Community Foundation.
Collen Doyle, a member of the foundation’s board, said there are plans to open a childcare center in the building as soon as January 2020. The top floor of the two-story building contains large windows and hardwood floors. Doyle said the board has talked about bringing a computer lap, cyber cafe and yoga studio to the space.
“It’s going to be a really positive thing for the community,” said Doyle who grew up in Bridgewater and attended Bridgewater Village School. “There is a lot of growth that’s going to be happening in Bridgewater in the next couple years. It’s an exciting time to be part of the community there.”
The building has held town meeting since 1943. Doyle said the former school has sentimental value to him and many residents. “It will be there when the town needs it most,” Doyle said. “It was nice to be able to shake the governor’s hand and give him brochures and make the governor of Vermont aware of what we’re doing in Bridgewater.”
