Printer Friendly Version - Guilford’s New VFW Building Nearly Open

From left, Madison First Selectman Tom Banisch, Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey, Steve Spurrell, former state representative Pat Widlitz, VFW Commander Larry Santamaria, and State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98) gather at the Guilford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7666 on Aug. 25 for the official ribbon cutting of the new building. Photo courtesy of Sean Scanlon

It was a long and trying process, but with a lot of determination and a wealth of community support, the new Guilford Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7666 is just two weeks away from finally being ready for the public. Volunteers, members of the VFW, and local and state officials gathered on Aug. 25 for the official ribbon cutting.

The VFW Post, located on Mill Road, had long been in need of repairs. Conversations about rebuilding the structure began more than a decade ago, but hit a snag during the 2008 recession. In 2014, then-state representative Pat Widlitz secured a $1,347,479 state grant for extensive repairs to the 1925 building.

“It makes me feel good about the state of Connecticut and its willingness to help out people who have given service to our country,” Widlitz said in a June 2014 press release. “There are many veterans returning home now, and this VFW is so supportive of not only Guilford veterans, but those in surrounding communities who need help.”

With the money in hand, there were a few more hurdles to jump. In an interview with the Courier earlier this year, Steve Spurrell, a long-time supporter of the project, explained the challenges of working with state money for a construction project.

“What we didn’t know, what we learned the hard way...is because it’s state money, the contractor has to be bonded for 100 percent of his bid, so that takes it away from all of the local contractors, and gives it to those with a higher overhead. So the first [proposal] came out 30 percent over budget,” says Steve. “We came to the conclusion to take down the hall portion of the building, rebuild it substantially in just about its same footprint, and remodel the kitchen and members’ bar.”

The project was redrawn, Northeast Building Group out of Wallingford was brought onboard as contractor, and on Nov. 29, 2017, Widlitz, State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D-12), State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98), former first selectman Joe Mazza, VFW Commander Larry Santamaria, project architect Russ Campaigne, members of Northeast Construction Group, and Spurrell gathered to put some ceremonial shovels in the ground.

The old hall section of the building has been demolished and completely rebuilt and the original section of the building has been gutted and renovated. The new structure has roughly the same square footage as the old structure, but is now more open and is ADA accessible.

The building will be officially open in about two weeks. To rent the hall for an event, call Larry Santamaria at 203-535-6640.