The LEAP Community Center is located in the Roslyn Milstein Meyer Community Center, built in 1915. It is one of the oldest continuously operating youth centers in the country, originally a community hub for immigrant youth in New Haven’s Wooster Square and Fair Haven neighborhoods.
Kenneth Boroson Architects was selected through a competitive RFP process to design upgrades to this historic three-story brick building, which will increase energy efficiency and accessibility for its 1,500 members.
Due to the building’s age, many safety and functionality issues exist, ranging from interior water damage resulting from roof leaks, to inefficient appliances and lack of insulation. Asbestos is also present, requiring removal.
Our design includes ADA alterations, improvements to the 20-yard indoor swimming pool, replacement of flooring, windows, and bathroom fixtures, HVAC and insulation improvements, repairs to the building exterior, asbestos removal, and renovation of the kitchen, operations, and teen rooms.
Renovations will be completed on its six classrooms, full gymnasium, computer learning center, dance studio, teaching kitchen, and art room, as well as exterior recreation field and community garden. Improvements will also be made to offices for the 30-person full-time staff, and spaces for training part-time staff, including 150 local high school and college students.
A two-story addition will accommodate a new elevator as well as library space and flex classrooms.
This project is partially funded by a Community Project Funding Grant under the federal 2023 Economic Development Initiative, submitted by LEAP through the office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.
LEAP (Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership) was founded in 1992 and provides a wide variety of community programs to New Haven residents. It is the largest youth agency in the City and its largest youth employer. The Aquatics Program employs youth as swim instructors and lifeguards, and offers subsidized swimming classes to non-LEAP youth and adults year-round.
