The grand dedication of Norwood’s new Civic Recreation Center—housed in the former National Guard armory building—has been officially scheduled for September 22 at 10:00 a.m., according to Selectmen Chairman Walter J. Dempsey.
Special guests of honor for the ribbon-cutting ceremony will include former Governor Edward J. King, who famously sold the armory property to the town for one dollar during his term, and the widow of former Governor Frank G. Allen. A Norwood native who served as selectman from 1915 to 1924 before advancing to the state Senate, Allen originally championed the construction of the armory during his tenure as governor. As Dempsey noted, “They’re both part of the reason we now have the recreation center.” (Note: Town officials confirmed that the town has not yet formally paid the state its symbolic dollar, and they are currently searching for the original screws to re-affix the building’s original plaque bearing Allen’s name, which was recently returned by a National Guard unit after being removed).
Ceremony Details and Distinguished Speakers
Open to all town residents, the festivities will feature a lineup of prominent guest speakers, including Secretary of Public Safety Charles V. Barry, local legislators, and town officials. Organizers are also coordinating with the high school marching band to perform. To accommodate the expected crowds, the section of Nahatan Street between Broadway and Central Street will be closed to traffic during the ceremony.
While the celebration is weeks away, finishing touches are still underway inside. Dempsey noted that while the basketball gymnasium floors are currently being sanded and coated in hopes of being ready by the dedication date, other recreational facilities may still be under construction.
Additionally, the civic center will house local state offices: the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) branch located within the building will be separately dedicated earlier on September 6 at 10:30 a.m., with Registrar Alan Mackey presiding. Invitations for the main civic center dedication will be extended to all residents who served as town meeting members when the initial funding was appropriated.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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