New Somers Community Center Opens

The smell of fresh paint and newly stained wood floors fills the Somers Community Center in Shenorock. Contractors were busy with finishing touches as Donna Martone and her father Ron Cardillo prepared for the grand opening Aug. 25 and 26.

"We'll have inflatables, a magician, D.J.--it will be a great party," said Martone as her 3-year-old daughter ran through the main room showing off her dance moves. 

Somers Community Center was previously the Shenorock Club, located at 34 Hillendale Rd. in Shenorock. United Owners Association of Shenorock owned the building, which was built in the 1930s, until Dec. 2011, when Cardillo decided to purchase the property and revive the space for community use. 

"This is a charity that my dad decided to do. He funded the whole thing. He loves to take on challenges," said Martone. While the family is originally from Scarsdale, Martone now lives down the road from the community center and Cardillo lives in Mahopac.

The space, with vaulted ceilings and a contemporary pallet of brown, taupe and blues, took eight months to renovate. Wood paneling was removed, a crooked wall was fixed, and decorative columns were added. A full-sized kitchen was also built.

A stage was added to make entertaining easy. Silk-organza looking curtains sweep around windows, adding warmth to the venue's main room, which is defined by two chandeliers in the center of the room. 

"It's not a typical fire house," said Martone. 

The Somers Community Center can be rented for $500 a day. If you book the space before the end of August, the rate is $450. Throughout its long history, the building was used as a day care facility, voting center and dance class. Martone and Cardillo have positioned the building for parties, dance and exercise classes and whatever else residents might want to host there.  

Martone and Cardillo, who is president of the hair extension company She by So.Cap USA Hair Extensions, also plan to use the space for their primary business. Martone is So.Cap USA Hair Extension's senior accountant. The company's model trade show booth was temporarily assembled near the stage since the family hosted a So.Cap USA Hair Extension meeting at the facility last week.  

The main room can accommodate approximately 96 people and a side room holds almost 30. The space offers 21 tables and 100 chairs, but linens must be brought in for events. 

On Saturday and Sunday, the Somers Community Center will host its first party when it opens its doors to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. with children's activities, including a magician on Saturday and a clown on Sunday. Adults can enjoy music and more from 6 to 9 p.m. Martone plans to frame historical pictures of the Shenorock Club for the open house. Town Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy will cut the ribbon at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Martone is interested in booking more vendors for the open house. Contact her at 914-523-2893 or donna@socapusa.com if you are a D.J., caterer or any other vendor appropriate for parties.