Program and Needs

Its great to hear from Eric, I think the project is off to a good start. Just to make things easy, the questions I'll be asking are in bold/italics. The first phase of the project is figuring out what exactly we need in terms of space.

Current program:
(taken from memory, please correct me if its wrong- also if you knew the approximate square footages, or had the blueprints that would be helpful)

1. Banquet hall (209 person)
2. Pub
   
3. service areas for both (storage, bathrooms, kitchen, refrigeration)
4. offices
5. entrance space
6. parking

Next, I've thought about some additions based just on the activities that go on at the club.

1. larger office spaces
2. music/dance classrooms
3. outdoor space (sport fields, grill, space for music festival)
4. brewing facilities
5. interactive museum space
6. improved office/ conference space
7. areas for meeting/tea room
   

Here are some local Irish organizations in the area you may have been to that have examples of different program.

1. Irish cultural center at Elms College (http://www.irish-cairde.org/#) - film series, music events, lectures, exhibits
2. Irish Cultural Center of New England (http://www.irishculture.org/) - performance space, large patio for functions, library/genealogy research center, 47 acres of land/sports fields/bridge, authentic Irish thatched cottage
3. Sons of Erin club, West Springfield (http://www.sonsoferin.com/index.php) field for sports, outdoor pavilion/grill

What kinds of facilities would you like to see at the new JBO?
(what makes an Irish community center different than another nationality's?)