Supporters To Rally For Fermi Annex

ENFIELD, CT — A group of residents is urging people to turn out Monday evening in support of the Enfield Municipal Annex, the former Enrico Fermi High School building that now serves as a hub for community programs.

The “Save Fermi” group is encouraging supporters to gather at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, in the Annex lobby during an infrastructure tour of the building.

“Join us on Monday to show your support for the Annex/Fermi,” the group wrote in a social media post. “This is a great opportunity for the Town Council to see how many of us value this community center and want to protect its future.”

A flyer circulated by the group says the Annex is home to a long list of local groups and programs, including youth wrestling, Dolphins Swim Team, Tons-O-Fun Summer Camp, high school wrestling, high school swim teams, Ramblers Cheerleading, Enfield Travel Basketball, Enfield Community Chorus, Enfield Adult Education, Opera House Players, Friends of the Library and Enfield Garden Club.

The push comes as the town continues to weigh the future of the former high school property at 124 North Maple St.

The building, formerly Enrico Fermi High School, closed as a high school in 2016 after Enfield consolidated its two public high schools. It was later renamed the Enfield Municipal Annex and has continued to be used for recreation programming, performing arts, community events, adult education, storage and other municipal purposes, according to town documents.

In October, the town issued a request for proposals seeking ideas for the adaptive reuse of the Annex property. The town said it was seeking proposals that would preserve and repurpose portions of the building while considering possible uses such as housing, community arts, public space, education or training, health care, retail or other commercial activity.

The town’s request for proposals also said Enfield intended to retain ownership and operational access to several key amenities, including the pool, gymnasium, auditorium, pickleball courts and athletic fields.

The Save Fermi group says those spaces remain important to residents and local organizations.

Emily Clifford, who has been helping organize the effort, said in a post that supporters planned to meet before and after Monday’s tour.

“If you can't make it or if you have any questions, email FermiCommunityCenter@gmail.com and I will follow up with you and give you an update,” Clifford wrote. “After the tour, I'll be setting up meetings so that we can share ideas and create a plan for supporting our community center.”

The town has also been seeking funding connected to the Annex. Earlier this year, Enfield officials authorized applications to the state Community Investment Fund, including a request for HVAC upgrades at the Annex and a separate community center study.

Supporters say Monday’s gathering is meant to show town leaders how many residents want the building’s community uses protected as Enfield considers what comes next for the property.