Great Neck House Grand Reopening and Rededication

By Wendy K. Kreitzman and Carol Rosenfeld

At the grand reopening (l. to r.): Village of Great Neck Mayor Richard Deem, Deena Lesser (Town of North Hempstead), Plaza Deputy Mayor Ted Rosen, Great Neck Park District Commissioner Ivar Segalowitz, Village of Great Neck Trustee Mitch Beckerman, Village of Great Neck Deputy Mayor Ralph Kreitzman, Village of Great Neck Trustee Mark Birnbaum, Park District Superintendent Neil Marrin, Park Commissioner Ruth Tamarin, Town Councilman Wayne Wink, County Legislator Lisanne Altman, Town Director Legislative Affairs Raphael Lieber, County Comptroller Howard Weitzman, Park Commissioner Robert Lincoln, Jr. and Village of Great Neck Clerk/Treasurer John Dominsky.

It was a wonderful day, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, the day the newly renovated Great Neck House opened its doors to the community once again. The rededication ceremony, and party, was well-attended and the gathering of dignitaries was duly impressed with the extensive renovations and the beautiful "new" facility.

The event, planned early in the day so as to not compete with the Super Bowl, began with a performance by the Community Band, followed by some light refreshments. Then, it was a big moment when the new plaque was unveiled, officially reopening and rededication the Great Neck Park District's very special "indoor park" facility at 14 Arrandale Avenue in the Village of Great Neck.

Staff from the Great Neck Park District.

A tour of the gleaming, modernized Great Neck House was an eye-opener. Although, when you arrive at the building it still has the same beautiful, old-fashioned, charming exterior, a quick look inside shows the fabulous "new" Great Neck House.

The afternoon's events concluded with a much-appreciated and much enjoyed performance by cellist Soo Bae.

During the afternoon, the Great Neck Park District Board of Commissioners (Robert Lincoln Jr., Ivar Segalowitz and Ruth Tamarin) and Park District Superintendent Neil Marrin spoke, as did some visiting dignitaries. A few of the Great Neck House teachers were on hand on the lower level to provide art, clay, cooking and crafts projects for the children.

Renovations to Great Neck House included: electrical wiring upgrade; new handicapped bathroom; elevator; new lighting fixtures; new carpeting; painting/stucco work; outdoor beams and trim; gutters; roof repairs; new sound and projection system; new carpeting downstairs; new sound system in downstairs dance room; sanded and refinished floors in dance room; and modernized lower floor bathrooms.

Over 100 groups make use of Great Neck House for meetings and gatherings. It is the hub of park district activity with children's and adult classes, central registration, cultural events, movies and art shows. And now it looks beautiful once again!