04/03/2026
LAST CHANCE FAIR WARNING! Quick! Raise your hand before the auctioneer cries out the words, GOING, GOING, GONE! And the gavel goes down.
We believe that we have run the good race. We have tried to fulfill the dream to bring a Community Center to the residents of Torrington. We think that you all deserve something nice for a change besides taxes. We have presented, in writing to the Mayor and City Council, a solid, proposal to do just that. This will cost you and the City nothing more than the signing over of the Recreation and Teen Center building to a non profit. This building was bought and paid for, in full, by the taxpayers way back in 1969. Built by Torrington residents in 1920. It’s use was designated Use: “Community Recreation Center”. It was also important as a senior drop in center. Likely a precursor to the beautiful Sullivan Senior Center. As of the moment, it still belongs to you, don’t let it slip away! We had asked to place our proposal on this Monday’s agenda and were turned down, stating that the decision to sell the property is a done deal. To be clear, we wholeheartedly support the sale of the building if that is the best choice. We do however object to selling it to whatever random bidder may choose to do what may not be in the best interest of the people. It has been said that whoever bought it could just tear it down as happens. This leaves us and ALL of you each, just a three minute time slot for public comment at the opening of the meeting. We believe that we have done our part and will attempt to use our three minutes wiselyon Monday 4/6/2026 @ 6:30. We understand that everyone is super busy, but are hoping that you will all choose to do likewise. This building has been not managed to it’s potentiial for over two decades. The teen center was defunded last September. The main floor has not been used for use as a recreation building for decades as well. A private business dance studio has occupied the upstairs for what we’ve been told for well over twenty years. This has been subsidized by our tax dollars and been a major deterent for public use. Many we speak to have utilized the dance studio as children. They would be welcome to continue under our proposal, if not a hinderance to public use. When we mention the building to anyone, we inevitably get the response, “Oh, the Teen Center.” Not a single response, “Oh, the Recreation Building”. This, in part, is due to the incredibly restrictive nature of it being a City owned building. Use of the building by the residents requires a million dollar insurance rider, as well as the cost of a City employee, as a keyholder for the entire duration of use. That’s if the City generously was to waive the added rental cost. Our proposal would eliminate those barriers, at no cost to the City. The building has never been even given a fair chance.
If we decide not to voice our preference to have the Council consider our proposal, the building is to be sold to the highest/best offer. We have scoured the City for years, this is the best suited, most easily managable and affordable building we have found. It will nicely compliment the Sullivan Senior Center across the street. It was actually purchased by the taxpayers for this very purpose! There is no other scenario that we can think of that will provide what we are offering to the residents at no tax increase. The choice may hopefully still be yours, once it is gone, it is gone forever. Please show up at City Hall Monday at 6:30. We are not public speakers, this is far from easy for us and not in our wheelhouse. However, we will do our best. We have invested a lot of time and thought into this. If you choose not to speak, we understand, come for moral support. Just raise your hand! Can we fill the room? That’s up to you. We think this trumps the recycling hearing a few years back. Standing room only. Yes, this is a leap of faith for us, hope to not be disappointed.
Thank you all who have taken the time to comment on our posts over the years as well.
