The new town hall room.
The media system in the Frank Greco Memorial Senior Center is being revamped for the first time since the building’s construction in 1978. The $8000 upgrade, paid for from the town government’s building and grounds budget, will drastically change the way town board meetings are recorded. The scope of events that can be hosted in the space will be expanded, too.
“The existing audio system in the Greco Center is very antiquated and in a state of disrepair,” said Parks and Buildings Superintendent Greg Chorvas. “We’re going to update it and add video so that groups that require DVD or PC graphics can be accommodated. Right now we have to borrow a projector from the Saugerties Athletic Association and run it from a table. Our new system will include a HD video ceiling-mounted projector with all the proper inputs one would need. But we are going to charge for it, just like we charge for the microphones. Last December we increased the fees to offset the cost. They won’t be free, but reasonably priced.”
User fees from rentals of the space will eventually pay for the project, said Chorvas.
The building is also being outfitted with three video cameras, an HD media player for photos, video and music, and all the standard computer interfaces needed. “We will be digitally ready”, said Nigel Redman, from JC Technologies LLC, the contractor who designed and is installing the equipment. Chorvas and Redman had been planning the project since 2015. “You can bring your music or video on a thumb drive and we can handle it. There will be a full-range stereo system matched to speakers for a complete audio experience. Now you can have dances and parties, like any other event venue location.”
The Building and Grounds department staff will be trained to use the equipment, said Chorvas.
Chorvas is excited about the potential the upgrades bring. “Now, we’re building a presentation system with the right electronics, cameras and media and we can even transfer [broadcasts] right to the [Lighthouse TV] station,” he said. “The room can host training events, and they can even stream media once we get the Internet installed.”
Redman said the system enhances the professional presentation aspect of the building. “Now everyone coming here will have what they’re looking for and use it for presentations and events with impact.”
According to Redman and Chorvas, the next Cantine Field technological advances will be completing the fiber platform infrastructure, which will allow for all the buildings to have wired high-speed connections in addition to the wireless currently in place.
Plans are also in the works to provide full streaming operations from the Kiwanis Ice Arena and all the playing fields on the property.