The new fire station and community center are about 7,000 square-foot and the building includes six garage bays, offices and separate rooms for gear, meetings, training and storage. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, June 30. (Submitted photo)

NEW BERLIN – The Village of New Berlin is hosting a private ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new firehouse and Chobani Community Center at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, June 30.

The project was first announced in 2019 and was supported by a mix of corporate donations from local employers as well as support from the State of New York, collectively providing nearly $1 million to help fund the construction effort. The new firehouse replaces the town’s firehouse nearby that was built in 1971.

The new 7,000 square-foot firehouse includes six garage bays, offices and separate rooms for gear, meetings, training and storage. The new structure will help the department continue to proudly serve the village and surrounding areas. The 2,400 square-foot community center contains a kitchen area and large gathering space so that the fire department as well as local residents and businesses can host events.

 

The new firehouse is a symbol of collaboration and partnership between the public and private sectors for the safety of New Berlin and its residents. The ribbon cutting ceremony will include remarks from New Berlin Mayor Peter Lennon, Chobani Vice President of Corporate Affairs Mark Broadhurst, NY Pizzeria Founder Frank Baio, Golden Artist CEO and Co-Founder Mark Golden, Gates Cole Insurance Manager JoAnn Smith, Preferred Mutual Senior Vice President Michele Graham, and NBT Bank. 

 

All unvaccinated participants are required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing at the ribbon cutting ceremony. We ask that if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have recently traveled to a location with active community spread of COVID-19, or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not attend this private event.

 

WHEN: at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2021

 

WHERE: Address: 82 S Main St, New Berlin, NY 13411

 

WHO: Corporate donors for this project include: Chobani ($650,000), Preferred Mutual ($150,000), Golden Artists Colors ($30,000), the Masonic Temple ($25,000), NBT Bank ($20,000), Gates-Cole Insurance ($1,000), and New York Pizzeria ($1,000). The firehouse is also supported by New York State, which has provided a $150,000 grant that was secured by New York State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref-Oneonta).

 

The design of the firehouse and community center was led by Michael O’Reilly, Managing Director of the Norwich firm Principle Design & Engineering.

- From Chobani