Thank you for your interest in the NewCAL project!
The Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) is the name given to the project to address the facility needs of seniors in Newton.
COMMUNITY UPDATE MEETING
THURSDAY, April 20 at 6:30pm
We are now only a few short months away from bidding the project, and as such our team has been hard at work on developing the logistics with regards to the construction schedule, site utilization, and carefully considering how to complete the project with little to no disruption to the neighborhood and village center. BH+A has been working with Mignonne and her staff in Senior Services to refine the staff office area on the 2nd floor, but most of the design work at this stage is the finite design details and specifications so that the vision we have all worked on can be bid out and constructed.
You can register in advance for the APRIL 20 Community meeting by clicking here.
If you missed the MARCH 16 meeting, the video recording can be watched by clicking here.
Video recordings of prior Community meetings can be watched by clicking on the “Presentations” tab above and clicking on “Video Recordings”
The NewCAL project team prepared the FINAL draft of the Feasibility Study report which has been shared with the City Council, made available for the public, and is posted here:
NewCAL Feasibility Study June 2021
The project team and Working Group have completed the outreach phase and are preparing to make a final recommendation on whether the project will reuse the existing senior center building, or if components of the existing building will be preserved to be included in a new facility that fits contexually within Newtonville.
The NewCAL Working Group recommendation letter has been posted here.
We have approximately two years of design, and two years of construction remaining, and therefore, we would anticipate starting construction in 2023. The total project cost is $16.5M.
As part of the outreach effort, the Working Group has met with various Councils and Committees. Video recordings can be accessed by clicking on the buttons below for the 01/05/21 Community Update meeting as well as for the 02/22/21 Design Review Committee meeting. Presentations and meeting minutes are available and can be viewed/downloaded by simply clicking on the appropriate tab above and selecting the particular meeting of interest. Minutes for additional meetings can be found on the City of Newton website: https://www.newtonma.gov/
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – Design Review Committee meeting – 6:00PM
Thursday, March 16, 2023 – Community Update meeting – 6:30PM
Please click on the links above to join these meetings.
NewCAL Project Information
Vision Statement and Guiding Principles
Answers to 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!
