Future Headquarters for QRWA

The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is seeking to convert the historic Dossin Beach Bathhouse on Hanover Pond and the Quinnipiac River in Meriden to a regional Quinnipiac Environmental Education Center. QRWA acquired the building in a long-term lease arrangement with the City of Meriden, owner of the park surrounding the site. In our 29 year history, we have long sought a permanent home with waterfront access to realize our dream of linking every citizen in the watershed, especially children and youth, to the River and the natural world. This bond is crucial to the recovery of the
pollution-impaired Quinnipiac, for people will protect what they have grown to love.

In May of 2008, with a  $20,000 grant from the Cuno Foundation, assistance from Wilcox Technical School and new building plans in hand we were ready to begin our restoration plans. First business at hand was to replace the roof and give the building a "face lift" by using a environmentally friendly soda blast treatment to remove the white paint from the exterior of the building. Additionally, a grant of $5,000 through CDBG for a new furnace will be installed by the first quarter of 2010.

This project has not come without challenges; in order to level the roof line, trusses had        
to be built and installed; a trench had to be dug to solve a drainage issue; in order to
address the excessive tar on the exterior bricks on the second level we removed and
replaced over 500 bricks;  the in ground oil tank appeared to have a damaged fill pipe
that gave us cause for leakage concerns, so we had the tank removed and discovered there was evidence of soil contamination. The removal of the contaminated soil is scheduled to be done by the city. And finally, to secure our fleet of canoes an overhead door was installed facing the shore for easy launching access.                                                                           

As we near completion of the "exterior" renovations we are ready to proceed with obtaining funds for insulation, replacement windows and gutters. We have been able to keep ourselves going with membership contributions and fund raisers but we are always seeking offers of labor and monetary donations.

Our plans to bring a regional education environmental center to the shores of Hanover Pond will be a wonderful compliment to our neighbors of the Meriden Linear Trail.

It should be noted that this entire project is solely supported by a very small group of board and member volunteers.

Photos of restoration project will be available shortly under our Photo section.

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