New Beach Pavilion Opens Doors To Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The newest version of a classic Fairfield fixture flung open its doors to the public Thursday evening. The ribbon was cut on the newly rebuilt Penfield Pavilion, which has lockers and concessions for beach-goers and can host receptions and banquets year-round.

Lifelong resident Mary Baker and her kids were just some of the curious Fairfielders who came to check out the new pavilion and walked away impressed. “It’s very different, but it’s beautiful,” Baker said. “They did a great job with it. It’ll serve us well.”

With the smell of fresh paint on the walls, local leaders and Fairfield residents got a chance to tour the brand-new pavilion Thursday evening. Some marveled at the sheer size, like young Colin Baker, who said, “The bigger, the better.” Others appreciated the design, which kept mostly to the original style but added features like the full-height windows lining the beachfront side.

The $3.3 million building takes up the same amount of beach space as the old one, which was 109 years old. The new pavilion has a larger deck and an improved kitchen and heating system to better serve the receptions and banquets expected at Penfield each weekend. The upgrades will allow the parks department to rent out the hall year-round.

Amenities for visitors to Penfield Beach are now ready as well. Beachgoers can use the building’s new locker rooms, concession stand, bathrooms and deck during the summer. “Hopefully it’s going to be here for another 100 years,” Building Committee chair James Gallagher said.

The pavilion was supposed to open at the beginning of July, but the harsh winter set back construction a few weeks. But crews from the Department of Public Works and contractors from Secondino & Sons put in overtime work to finish the project this summer.

“The guys from Public Works killed themselves over the wintertime,” Gallagher said. “They were down here in sub-zero temperatures working.”

But Mary Baker summed it up for many when she said, “I’m just glad it’s finally open.”

What do you think of the new Penfield Pavilion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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