Welcome to the Cooper Center for Active Living project website!
As part of the State of the City Update on Feburary 20, 2024, Mayor Fuller announced that the center which was informally called the Newton Center for Active Living or NewCAL, will officially be called the Cooper Center for Active Living in the City of Newton, in honor of Audrey Cooper.
** Construction – Saturday, March 9 ** |
Please note that J&J Contractors, Inc. expects to be working on site Saturday, March 9, hauling excavated soils off the site. City of Newton work ordinances and protocols will be adhered to for Saturday activity, with work excepted to begin after 8:00AM.
COOPER CENTER MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:
The general contractor, J&J Contractors, Inc., is fully mobilized onsite with two trailers and site fencing in place. Abatement and demolition of the existing building is complete and excavation for footings and foundations for the new structure is underway.
The official Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on March 7 and was very well attended, despite the rainy weather.
Please note that monthly community construction updates are posted to this website and can be found under the Construction Updates tab.
You are invited to join us for the monthly community construction update. Meeting are scheduled on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 2.Zoom Registration: https://newtonma-gov.zoom.us/j/87604182709. |
If you live in the neighborhood surrounding 345 Walnut Street, you may receive a flyer with construction updates from the City of Newton Public Buildings (NPB) Department. The City NPB will continue to communicate with Newtonville businesses to ensure they are aware of current plans.
It is expected that the amount of contractor vehicles will be fairly light for the next few months with 10-15 vehicles/day expected. The City will work hard to ensure that contractors park in spaces further from the more busy areas of Newtonville to maintain those spaces for the businesses and residents. The parking situation will be carefully monitored and adjusted as needed to minimize as much disruption as possible throughout construction.
As previously mentioned, the project was delayed a little by having to go back out to solicit more bids from contractors to complete the construction. Our team is currently working to update the project schedule, but the new facility will open in Fall 2025. A ribbon cutting event will be here before you know it!
If you would like to follow the project through social media you can do so by clicking any of the following links: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070249892653 |
Also, if you have any questions at all about the project, please do not hesitate to reach out to Josh Morse (City of Newton Public Buildings Commissioner) at jmorse@newtonma.gov.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Monthly community construction update meeting
February 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Zoom Registration: https://newtonma-gov.zoom.us/j/87604182709.
NewCAL Project Information
Vision Statement and Guiding Principles | Frequently Asked Questions | Program and Design | Site Selection |
Community Feedback | Presentations | Meeting Minutes | Supporting Documents |
The City of Newton’s goal, as an age friendly community, is to build a large, well equipped, comfortable Center to meet the unique interests and needs of older adults, both those currently using the Senior Center and many others who are not. The Center will foster a special sense of community and belonging for this growing group. This facility will be designed to optimize the quality of life for Newton’s older adults and those who support them, through welcoming, respectful and meaningful opportunities that engage, value, and empower older adults to remain independent and important assets in our community.
When spaces within this facility are not programmed for older adults, the goal is to offer well managed, quality and enriching community and multigenerational experiences for all residents of Newton.
1. The Center will be designed to promote and support the Mission Statements of the Senior Services and Parks and Recreation Departments.
2. Spaces within this facility will be clustered and programmed to preserve the wonderful sense of community that exists in the current Senior Center.
3. The Center will be age friendly, welcoming to everyone, and will be designed and programmed to meet the unique needs of seniors as well as the broader community.
4. The Center will ensure safety and accessibility both inside and outside the facility through thoughtful design and operation.
5. The Center will promote social equality and maximize access to programs and services to those who are unserved or underserved.
6. The facility will be environmentally conscious, strive to be carbon neutral, and will leave a legacy of responsible design and operation.
Senior Services Department Mission Statement
‘To optimize quality of life for older adults and those who support them through the welcoming, respectful and meaningful opportunities that engage and value older people, and empower them to remain independent and to be important assets in our community.”
Parks and Recreation Department Mission Statement
“The Newton Parks and Recreation Department will provide traditional and innovative Recreation, Leisure and Cultural Activities in a quality environment for all residents of Newton, as well as managing the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of the natural resources of the City.”
THOUGHTS? QUESTIONS? Email the project team at newcal@newtonma.gov with any questions, comments or concerns or to sign up to receive future correspondence about this project.
Remember to visit this site frequently to keep up with the latest meeting dates, design and presentations.
Note: For information about other area Senior Centers and Senior/Community Centers, please click on this link.
The new facility will be a community asset, so we are looking for feedback from the entire community!
