WEST HAVEN — The old Anne V. Molloy Elementary School on Meloy Road has a new name and a new job. The city opened the West Haven Community Center, nicknamed “the Hub,” on Thursday, Oct. 22, turning the empty school at 255 Meloy Road into one building for seniors, young people and veterans.
“Welcome to ‘the Hub’!” Mayor Dorinda Borer said at the morning ribbon-cutting, according to the city’s announcement. More than 200 sponsors, city employees and residents came to the ceremony, and the city said more than 400 people turned out for an evening open house with tours, music and demonstrations.
What’s inside
The building is now home to the West Haven Senior Center. The city also lists these spaces:
- Main level: a community room with a stage and a 15-foot movie screen, an exercise room, two technology labs (one for adults, one for young people), a creative arts studio, a conference hall, a small cinema with recliners and an 85-inch TV, and an outdoor patio.
- Health and services: a nursing section, plus office space where the city’s social worker, public health nurse and Police Department will hold office hours, and a social services office.
- Veterans suite: a computer workstation, a pool table and ping-pong table, recliners and a large TV.
- Upper level: the Department of Youth and Family Services, a gaming center with PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles and Meta Quest 3S VR headsets, a youth lounge, a wellness suite, a gym, a food pantry and an arts studio.
Borer called the building “a true one-stop shop for our community, particularly our most vulnerable populations.” Before the renovation, she said, the former school was “a nonperforming asset sitting empty in the middle of our city draining resources and losing potential.”
Who paid for it
The renovation was paid for with $1.8 million in state grant money, the city said. It was overseen by Borer, Human Resources Commissioner John M. Carrano and project coordinator Ernie Chiarelli, along with the Community Center Committee.
Corporate “Room Champions” sponsored individual rooms. Yale New Haven Health sponsored the community room and invested in the nursing section. New Haven Bank sponsored the exercise room, and Comcast sponsored the two technology labs. The University of New Haven sponsored the veterans suite, LTKE Law sponsored the arts studio, and Riva Bar & Restaurant sponsored the conference hall. The city also named GHP Media and Westies Care as sponsors.
Borer said the free computer labs and classes are meant to help “bridge the digital divide,” and that New Haven Bank will hold free financial literacy classes at the center.
It’s a place for us to go now.
Marty Richards, Marine Corps veteran and member of West Haven Vietnam Veterans
West Haven High School senior Jade Stevens, a member of the school’s Youth Committee, put it simply: “We need a safe space to thrive.”
Hours and what’s next
The Hub is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the city says expanded hours are coming soon. A second phase will add more outdoor improvements.
Residents can find program updates on the City of West Haven’s website or by calling City Hall at (203) 937-3500.
THE HUB AT A GLANCE
What: West Haven Community Center (“the Hub”)
Where: 255 Meloy Road, West Haven (former Anne V. Molloy School)
Opened: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri. (expanded hours coming)
Cost: $1.8 million in state grant funding
Serves: Seniors, youth and families, veterans
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