DeLauro visits Sterling House, announces federal funding
STRATFORD — For 90 years, Sterling House Community Center has been a fixture in town.
But the years have taken their toll on the 136-yearold building, which is why Executive Director Amanda Meeson was so gratified to welcome U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro to town Friday to announce a series of federal funding appropriations for development projects in Fairfield County.
One of those funding appropriations is a $1.5 million grant to Sterling House to revitalize its building.
“It’s both humbling and motivating to have so much support for this place. I think that house is a really, really special part of the history and the future of this town,” Meeson said. “For the state and federal groups and our local mayor and delegation to be so invested is very, very motivating.”
In total, this is funding is a part of more than $13.6 million in federal money that is being spread across eight local projects throughout the state.
“These were the kinds of projects that allowed for cities, towns to be able to get some things done for
non-profits,” DeLauro said. “To be able to get things done without having to charge additional fees to people, without raising property tax, without having to raise bonding. And it works, and I’m so delighted.”
DeLauro was greeted by over 60 campers chanting her name, Meeson said. It was a day DeLauro said she will “never forget.”
Meeson said she has not heard the exact protocols for how funding will be sent through, but the funding
is confirmed at this point, she said.
The organization is currently working with the architects and engineers to arrive at a final bid price to apply for state funding, too.
While waiting for funding the organization has completed an assessment of the roof tiles and an analysis of the indoor sprinkler systems. When complete, the repairs will amount to a “roof to gutters” revitalization, Meeson said in March.
“I can’t say enough, when it is leaking and it’s not restored, we can’t continue to be that driver and that support for our community,” Meeson said. “It is really so, so humbling and amazing to be able to do this.”
The current plan is for repairs to be underway by the time the August camps begin. But there is always the possibility of delays in the process because of supply chain issues or labor shortages, Meeson said.
She said the center has been working with State Historic Preservation office to help maintain historic accuracy in the process of revitalizing the building.
The center houses a number of programs for town residents, including a food pantry, youth athletics and individual events. Meeson said the food pantry services close to 500 people monthly.