The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Federation picks Svigals for JCC design
WOODBRIDGE » After what they termed an “exhaustive and rigorous process, and after four excellent firms made strong presentations,” the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven has selected Svigals + Partners as the architectural firm to design the “refreshed spaces” in the Jewish Community Center heavily damaged in a Dec. 5 fire.
According to announcement from the federation, “The Svigals team headed by Principal-in-Charge Jay Brotman and Project Manager Julia McFadden bring a broad range of experience that will be applicable to our project.”
According to a press release, the firm considered security concerns while designing the new Sandy Hook Elementary School, have designed educational spaces at Temple Israel in Westport and the Goodwin Early Childhood Magnet in East Hartford, renovated cultural arts spaces such as the Little Theatre in New Haven and designed the Yale New Haven Hospital, livingwell Fitness Center in New Haven.
The Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven will reopen at 360 Amity Road, after much debate following a Dec. 5 fouralarm fire that caused more than $2.4 million in damage.
Judy Alperin, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, said the Svigals team will work with the JCC/Federation team and lay leaders to quickly gain input to inform the design process.
“Svigals will help us to create the best space we can using the proceeds from the insurance settlement,” Alperin said. “They are also aware of how much our community wants to be back in the building quickly and will help us to balance improvements and speed in the best way possible.”
While the entire building may not be open until December, Alperin reiterated the plan is to open the indoor pool, racquetball courts and playscape this summer.
Alperin said she will continue to provide updates as construction schedules become clearer.
“I want to offer my appreciation to the leadership of the Federation and JCC and to those volunteering their time on the building steering committee and thank our community for their feedback and support before, during and continuing through this important time,” Alperin said.
The fire, which caused extensive damage and injured two firefighters, was ruled accidental in an initial investigation, according to the Woodbridge Fire Department. Fire investigators said they believe the fire started in the sauna area in the men’s locker room.
Since then, the JCC has moved programs into various spaces off the premises.
There was a question in recent months about whether the JCC should return to the pre-fire model or go for a more “out-of-thebox” system that would put services in other locations.
After a community meeting attended by some 400 people, it was recently decided to restore the parts of the existing building damaged in the fire.
Alperin has said the goal is to open the pool and racquetball area by June 19 and the popular summer camp will take place at 360 Amity Road with indoor and outdoor pool access.
She said re-entry to the building will be done “in phases,” and they are hoping with “limited resources” to “breathe new life” into the JCC building and its programs.