Wednesday’s ribbon cutting for the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich was jammed with townspeople eager to check out the new building and bear witness to the event.
Left to right DPW commissioner Jim Michel, Parks & Rec’s Patricia Troiano, Parks & Rec board member Sue Moretti Bodson, Parks & Rec director Joe Siciliano, First Selectman Fred Camillo and Parks & Rec board chair Scott Johnson. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Parks & Rec director Joe Siciliano shakes First Selectman Fred Camillo’s hand just after the ribbon was cut outside the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Left to right DPW deputy commissioner Gabriella Circosta-Cohee, DPW commissioner Jim Michel, Parks & Rec’s Patricia Troiano, Parks & Rec board member Sue Moretti Bodson, Parks & Rec director Joe Siciliano, First Selectman Fred Camillo, Parks & Rec board chair Scott Johnson and DPW building and Superintendent of Building Construction & Maintenance, Luigi Romano. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Left to right: Recreation Supervisor, Andrew Karen, who will be the building manager at the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center; DPW deputy commissioner Gabriella Circosta-Cohee; DPW commissioner Jim Michel; Parks & Rec’s Patricia Troiano; Parks & Rec board member Sue Moretti Bodson; Parks & Rec director Joe Siciliano; First Selectman Fred Camillo; Parks & Rec board chair Scott Johnson; and DPW building and Superintendent of Building Construction & Maintenance, Luigi Romano. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Approval for the new, state-of-the-art facility, designed to serve as a premier gathering space for community activities, events, and recreational programs, was decades in the making.
The new civic center was constructed on the footprint of the building it replaced, originally a rec center for Electrolux Corp employees, built in 1950, and sold to the town, along with 20 acres of land, in 1966 for $432,000.
New Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, May 16, 2017
Superintendent of Building Construction & Maintenance, Luigi Romano speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Before the ribbon cutting, townspeople gathered inside the new civic center for remarks from Superintendent of Building Construction & Maintenance Luigi Romano, Parks & Rec Director Joe Siciliano and First Selectman Fred Camillo.
“This was a great project to be a part of and we’re very excited to be opening the doors to the entire community to come and enjoy the facility,” Mr. Romano said, going on to thank TSKP Studio architects, and the Wohlsen Construction Company, AECOM, and the Building Construction and Management, and Public Works staff. He also thanked the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for their generosity in making the project possible.
Camillo recalled that one of the first calls he received when he was elected in 2019 was from Alexandra Cohen.
“I went over to her house, and she said, ‘I heard you talking about public-private partnerships and I’ve hated driving by this building because it was falling apart,'” Camillo recalled.
First Selectman Fred Camillo speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
“This is something that has been talked about since the 1980s,” he added, recalling leaking ceilings, rollerblading sessions and a bowling alley.
He said 30 years earlier, then First Selectman Tom Ragland assembled a civic center committee, and about 80% of what that committee suggested including was incorporated into the new building.
“Why did it take 25-30 years? Because it cost a lot more money?” Camillo asked. “Let that be a lesson, when we debate these projects – to keep pushing and pushing it back – when we could have had this a long time ago. Delaying ends up being more money.”
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“I’m just happy that future generations, and people, today can enjoy this beautiful facility which enhances the quality of life for all who live here now and serves as an attraction for those considering moving here.”
Parks & Rec director Joe Siciliano speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center . April 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Parks & Recreation director Joe Siciliano said the day represented a new chapter for his department.
“It’s a great opportunity to provide high quality programs to the residents of Greenwich,” he said, going on to thank a long list of staff and volunteers who were instrumental in moving the project forward.
The one story, 35,418 square foot facility offers enhanced amenities for all ages. Key features include a full size multi-use gymnasium with roll out spectator seating, 8,100 sq ft of multi-purpose space for programs and gatherings, and three 1,000 sq ft activity rooms, two with a movable partition.
In addition to the Cohen Foundation, donors included the L. Scott and Icy Frantz, Redmen Home Association, Greenwich Old Timers Athletic Association, John and Lyle Gibbons, Alfred Heynen, Michael and Tracy Freedman, Marc Johnson, Sue Bodson, Ted and Margaret Berenblum, Christian Rogers and Matthew Rogers.
According to Parks & Rec, the first month of operations will serve as a soft opening, featuring drop-in programming designed to introduce residents to the facility and its offerings. Community members will have the opportunity to explore the space, participate in various activities, and provide feedback as the center prepares for a full schedule of events and programs.
Following this initial period, the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center will launch its full programming schedule, offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
See also:
PHOTOS: Moment of Nostalgia for Soon-to-Be-Demolished Eastern Greenwich Civic Center