above: All the spaces on the new Civic Center were designed with dividers to accommodate a variety of events. – Photographs by Venera Alexandrova
Whether you’re into sports like basketball or pickleball or you’re looking for a toddler playgroup or a place to host a yoga class, a book group or even a party on the patio, it’s time to check out the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. The defining feature of this state-of-the-art center is that the space is super-versatile, designed to meet the many needs and interests of town residents.
The large, multipurpose gyms and activity rooms all have dividers, so the spaces can accommodate large groups—say, a high school reunion or a sports tournament, or smaller groups, such as a Pilates class, arts and crafts class, birthday parties, meetings and gatherings.
The new Civic Center, which had its soft opening in April, was made possible by a launch gift of $5 million from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation as well as a half-million-dollar contribution from Icy and Scott Frantz, with the new gym named in their honor. Rec sports fans will appreciate all the new playing space—including three indoor pickleball courts—but there’s so much more to it.
One gym has a floor that’s great for basketball and other sports, while the second gym has a wood-look surface with a sport floor underneath, so it’s not hard on the knees and is ideal for pickleball and volleyball. Both gyms have very high ceilings, and the second has a commercial kitchen connected to it, where caterers or anyone renting the space can make use of the refrigerator, freezer and stove. TV screens set up all around the center display the activities happening that day and week. This fall, the staff expects the Civic Center to be especially busy with kids; OGRCC now has its offices located here.
“Peak times will be after school when kids come here,” says Patricia Triano, the recreation superintendent, pointing to the open lounge toward the back of the building. “There’s a place for them to do homework and a place for parents to wait while their kids are in activities.” The multiple lounge areas can also serve as places for one-on-one meetings or for friends to gather for coffee before or after a game.
“One of the fun things was that people on the board picked out unusually nice furniture for the waiting areas,” says Scott Johnson, chairman of the board of Parks and Recreation. That higher-end furniture was funded by donations. So, when parents are waiting to pick up kids from an activity, or teens are looking to do homework before an after-school basketball game, the lounge areas are extra comfortable, with modern couches as well as high-top tables and a big range of vending machines.
For groups using the outdoor fields for soccer, lacrosse, softball and other sports, or the tennis or pickleball courts, there are dedicated bathrooms accessible from the rear of the building with cold-water dispensers to refill water bottles. The back patio also houses a group of Adirondack chairs, a comfortable spot for people to sit and relax between games or watch their kids play on the playground.
Currently, the Civic Center hosts open gym basketball, drop-in volleyball and pickleball as well as Tiny Tumblers classes with plans this fall for youth baseball, basketball, field hockey, pickleball, softball, track and also an adult basketball league.
To reserve one of the gyms or activity rooms for an event, visit the parks and rec tab on the town website, greenwichct.gov. 90 Harding Road, Old Greenwich, 203-637-4583.