Random Sampling of Norwood Residents Shows Overwhelming Support for a Single, Centralized Recreation Facility to Replace Civic Center-October 26, 1979

Residents Favor Centralized Recreation Complex Over “Satellite Plan”

Three years after local selectmen agreed to sell the existing Civic Center to Norwood Hospital for expansion, a random sampling of local residents indicates strong public backing for a single, centralized recreation facility. Interviewed in the downtown business district yesterday, 70 percent of the 30 residents surveyed favored constructing a core complex featuring a swimming pool, gymnasium, and meeting rooms at one location—with most expressing willingness to spend additional funds to achieve it.

“Even if it costs more than the $2 million the hospital is paying for the Civic, it should be in one location because it will be used more and will be more secure from vandalism,” said Edward O’Sullivan, 68, of Garfield Avenue. Other participants, including young adults Mark Medwar, 20, and Richard Hollis, 19, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that a centralized site prevents fragmentation. “Lots of families can’t drive their kids all over town. There won’t be as much interest if they have to swim at one place and play ball at another,” one older resident noted.

By contrast, only four respondents supported dividing facilities across multiple sites to bring activities closer to neighborhoods, two favored a split to save costs, and one individual suggested the Civic Center shouldn’t be replaced at all.

Background on the Civic Replacement Debate

The debate over replacing the Civic Center has persisted since the hospital purchase agreement. While selectmen remain divided between a centralized complex and a decentralized “satellite plan,” previous efforts by the civic replacement committee stalled when neighborhood opposition and engineering hurdles ruled out several proposed sites. The committee ultimately recommended utilizing the closed Aaron Guild School, ballfields in South Norwood, and a separate swimming pool.

While some residents pointed to the Guild School as a centrally located option, it continues to face pushback from nearby homeowners. To gain a broader measure of public sentiment, selectmen have commissioned a more comprehensive survey currently being conducted by students in the Norwood High School political action class. Meanwhile, town officials are reviving discussions on several previously considered locations, including Hennessey Field off Pleasant Street (13 acres) and the public works yard behind the Armory.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger