Sherman’s Proposed Senior Center
September 4th 2025
A New Hub for a Growing Community
Sherman, Conn. — On the southwestern corner of Colonial Field, where the town’s soccer fields meet the quiet of the community gardens, a new building is poised to rise. The proposed Sherman Senior Center—a $3.5 million project now moving through design and consultation—promises to be more than a gathering place. For advocates, it is the cornerstone of Sherman’s future, an investment in accessibility, health, and civic life for decades to come.
A Response to a Changing Town
Sherman’s senior population is growing, in step with national and state trends. As residents live longer and more independently, the demand for social, wellness, and support services has surged. Town leaders say the new center is not only a response to demographics but also a hedge against isolation—a place where seniors can engage in yoga or tai chi, attend legal aid clinics, or simply connect over a meal.
Health experts point to a practical benefit as well: expanded access to wellness programming and screenings can reduce reliance on emergency services and help manage long-term healthcare costs.
From Vision to Location
Town records show that more than a dozen sites were evaluated—from Volunteer Field to the historic Schneckenberg house—but the southwestern corner of Colonial Field ultimately won out. The reasons are as pragmatic as they are scenic: town-owned land to reduce costs, topography suitable for building, proximity to parking, and a location set back from highway noise but still accessible.
From the site, future visitors will look out over ballfields and gardens—a visual connection to Sherman’s intergenerational life.
A Building with Purpose
The proposed design, developed by Seventy2 Architects of Danbury, calls for a 4,250-square-foot building with energy-efficient construction, a backup generator, and ample space for both privacy and programming.
Parking—a perennial concern—will be addressed with more than 30 spaces, including handicap-accessible spots, with overflow parking near the soccer fields.
Timeline and Process
The Senior Center Committee was formed in May 2023 and has since worked with architects and construction professionals to bring the concept into sharper focus. The town has retained Hawley Construction Company, a firm with a long history in Sherman, to oversee the project.
According to planning documents, the timeline anticipates:
If the schedule holds, doors could open in 2027.
Balancing Costs and Benefits
With a target budget of $3.5 million, the committee acknowledges that the numbers remain a challenge. Early estimates were higher, but town leaders and contractors are working to bring costs down without sacrificing the building’s core features. Funding is expected to combine town appropriations with private contributions. Supporters argue that the price is not just for bricks and mortar but for Sherman’s long-term vitality. “Funding the Center is an investment in Sherman’s future,” the committee has emphasized, noting its role in attracting families, retirees, and intergenerational engagement.
Looking Ahead
For now, the senior center is still on paper—conceptual renderings and timelines. But as Sherman residents prepare for a December referendum, the project has already sparked conversation about what kind of community Sherman wants to be.
The proposed center, perched between fields of play and gardens of growth, embodies that question: how a small town invests in both its present and its future.
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