Around Town

Expanded Teen Offerings, New Board Possible for Restructured Outback

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Though a proposed lease termination agreement from the Outback Teen Center now is in hand, town officials say they’re investigating whether the downtown facility could continue to serve local youth in important ways. First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said Town Council Chairman Bill Walbert and Outback’s founding president Bob Albus are leading an effort to “advance ways to keep a reconstituted teen offering from that building and from a new Board of Directors that could be in place in the next few months.”

One local organization that already is serving much of New Canaan’s youth—the YMCA—could possibly use the building in the future, a move that could offset costs that after July 31 would otherwise fall to the town, he said. Asked about the YMCA’s interest in operating any programs out of the Outback, the Y’s vice president of financial development, marketing, and strategic initiatives, Kristina Barrett, said: “The Outback Board and town have approached the Y to see if we are interested in using the facility for a variety of Y programming. If Outback programming comes to an end, we are open to exploring this possibility, however, nothing has been finalized.”

Outback’s programming is set to come to an end officially after July 31, as per a letter that Mallozzi received last Friday from the teen center’s Board of Directors President Sangeeta Appel. “The Board of Directors of New Canaan Teen Center, Inc., voted to vacate and turn over possession of the teen center building to the Town of New Canaan effective as of 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2015,” the letter says. “While the Board regrets the necessity for this action, it had no other viable option given the current lack of funds and absence of sufficient recurring annual financial support from the Town and the community, with which to operate the building.

Around Town

Outback Board: Teen Center To Close, Revert to Town in July

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In a few weeks, there will be only one town in Lower Fairfield County that does not have a Teen Center, a place where young people can socialize in an alcohol- and drug-free environment. And the town that will hold that dubious distinction is, most surprisingly, New Canaan. Long known as a great town to raise a family, the teen center was built by community members who believed that this facility would improve the quality of life for many in the community. Over the past 14 years, hundreds of students, parents and staff have worked on its programs and operations. Thousands of members of the community have participated in programs that varied from band nights to cooking classes.

News

NCHS Seniors Thank Parent Post-Prom Volunteers for Wonderful Night

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In New Canaan, Senior Prom Night is more than a few awkward pictures taken by parents as high schoolers make their way out the door and onto the dance floor. Many of the memories of Senior Prom begin after the prom is over at the Annual Post Prom held at the Waveny House. Last Friday night, the doors opened at 11:59 p.m. and food, games, shows, and raffles continued on until the sun was rising at 5 a.m. The theme of the night was Flashback Friday in which the seniors were taken on a journey through their childhood in New Canaan. The New Canaan High School class of 2015 would like to thank all of the parents that spent over a year putting together this unforgettable night. The event was organized by Post Prom Chairs Whitney Legard Williams, Cam Hutchins, and Sue Kammler, along with many other parent volunteers.

News

Letter: Update on Saxe Building Project, Next Steps

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After extensive research, the Saxe Building Committee recommends Option 3A (which includes auditorium renovation, music classroom expansion, and a 12-classroom addition) to best meet the educational space needs at Saxe in light of already high and increasing enrollment, state and federal mandates, and to provide flexibility as programs evolve. The total estimated cost of Option 3A is $16.9 million, which would be bonded by the town. On May 5th, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Option 3A. On May 6th, the Board of Finance (BOF) approved $750,000 for pre-construction funding including the fees for the architect to create a schematic design of the proposed renovations and addition. On May 20th, the Town Council (TC) will vote on giving the final approval for the pre-construction funding to keep the process moving forward.

News

NCHS Senior Fashion Show [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

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Hundreds of parents, friends and other residents cheered from the darkened seats of the New Canaan High School auditorium on Saturday night as about 100 seniors strutted their stuff in casual, athletic, dressy and prom wear during the NCHS Senior Fashion Show. The major fundraiser for Post Prom, the annual show saw some $6,800 in tickets sold in advance, Chair Whitney Williams said. Here’s a video from the show featuring local band Triple Coil:
New Canaanite Video-NCHS Fashion Show 2015
“It’s pretty heavily attended,” Williams said as students shuffled from a pre-show dinner in the Wagner Room to separate areas to change and get made up for the runway. “We have prom fashions from A Step Ahead in Stamford and Camillo’s in Norwalk. The rest of the fashions have been provided by local vendors.”

Those included Athletic Shoe Factory, Blaze-In, Caren Forbes, Darien Sport Shop, Island Outfitters, J. McLaughlin, Jos.