DATE: Tuesday, September 8, 2020
CONTACT: Councilman John Bouvier
PHONE: (631) 287-5745
A resolution sponsored by Councilman John Bouvier and co-sponsored by Councilman Rick Martel authorizing the purchase of 112 Old Riverhead Road in Westhampton Beach for the purpose of a Community Center was approved unanimously at today’s Town Board meeting. The building is approximately 22,000 square feet, with 3 floors, elevators, a glass rotunda and 60 parking spaces at a cost of $4,065,000.00.
A community center in Westhampton Beach has been a priority for Councilman Bouvier since the previous center shut down in 2015. “This is a much needed resource for the community on the west end of town,” said Bouvier. “We’ve been looking for a while; a lot of people worked on this. It’s a great location – near the school, the village, and plenty of space, with room to grow. I’m really excited.”
In an effort to meet the needs of the community in the interim, Councilman Bouvier initiated a partnership with the Westhampton Beach Library last summer to bring the senior lunch program to the area. Until then, seniors had to travel to Hampton Bays, Flanders or Bridgehampton community centers to participate in the program.
“The senior lunch program is pretty popular and we wanted to make sure that the residents in this part of town were able to participate,” said Bouvier. “Not only is it important from a nutritional standpoint, it’s also a way for them to connect socially. Now they will have their own community center. I see so many possibilities… for our seniors, our youth, it’s going to be a great asset for our community.”