102125 CSCE Dinner Meeting at CT State Community College Three Rivers
Please join civil engineering students, friends, colleagues and CSCE members at our monthly meeting at CT State Community College Three Rivers, Norwich, CT, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. At this meeting, R. Scott Erricson, P.E., e2 engineers, will give a presentation on the New London Community Recreation Center project that opened in July 2025. One (1) New York State PDH will be offered at this meeting. This meeting is co-sponsored by the CT Chapter of the ASCE Construction Institute and students & faculty at CT State Community College Three Rivers.
Our dinner meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the Environmental Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) at CT State Community College Three Rivers at 4 p.m. The Environmental Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee serves as a vital bridge between the classroom and the professional world. Its guidance ensures the program remains current, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of industry—while reinforcing the college’s mission to prepare students for meaningful, sustainable careers. At this meeting, the college is looking for input on updates for the A.S. degree in Environmental Engineering Technology as well as two key certificate programs (Land Surveying & GIS
Environmental Health & Safety). If you would like more information about this meeting and how to attend, please send an email to [email protected].
Presentation Description: The New London Community and Recreation Center is an inspiring 60,000+ SF facility that has been more than a decade in the making. For years, residents have longed for a space where they can come together as a community, especially since New London has been without a public recreation center since the 1980s. As Mayor Passero stated, “It will become the heart and soul of our city.” This long-anticipated community center features a vibrant two-court gymnasium, an eight-lane indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a welcoming lounge, versatile multi-purpose rooms, and administrative offices. Structurally, the building is being brought to life through a blend of structural steel framing and resilient masonry shear and bearing walls, complemented by custom-designed steel roof trusses that create multi-level spaces with expansive, open designs. More than just a building, this center represents a renewed sense of connection, growth, and opportunity for the people of New London.
Initial designs called for shallow frost wall footings; however, geotechnical exploration revealed that the site contained undocumented fill, requiring a reevaluation of the foundation strategy. To achieve the necessary bearing capacity, the team implemented ground improvements using rammed aggregate piers. The structural team collaborated closely with the general contractor and ground improvement contractor to optimize pier locations, minimizing structural modifications and avoiding costly redesigns. This proactive coordination saved both time and money while ensuring the integrity of the foundation.
Beyond the soil conditions, the project posed significant structural challenges. The natatorium and gymnasium required expansive open spaces with roof framing capable of spanning 80-105 feet while also supporting large mechanical equipment. To meet these demands, the structural team designed custom wide-flange trusses, ensuring both strength and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the second floor features both a dance studio and a fitness center, each presenting unique loading conditions. The team carefully accounted for impact loads and resonance frequency concerns, ensuring a safe and functional environment for all users.
The New London Community Recreation Center serves as a vital hub for the city, offering the community its first public recreation space in years. The center fosters a multi-generational community, providing opportunities for families and individuals of all ages. As home to the city’s Recreation Department and Youth Affairs, the center serves as a launching pad for community programs, job opportunities, and educational resources. Beyond its social benefits, the center is expected to generate economic growth by attracting visitors from surrounding areas. Designed and engineered by local firms, including Silver Petrucelli + Associates and e2 engineers, the project reflects a commitment to supporting local businesses while enhancing the well-being of the community.
The teamwork between e2 and the ground improvement supplier played a vital role in keeping the project on track. Together, they crafted an innovative and budget friendly solution to address the challenging soil conditions at the site, showcasing the power of collaboration in overcoming obstacles. The structural steel trusses over the large communal areas (gymnasium and swimming pool) required ingenuity, as they not only had to support the bulk of the mechanical equipment that was designated for rooftop locations but also maintain a sleek, visually appealing aesthetic. The choice of using wide flange shapes allowed for unique shadowing within the truss members themselves. The connections were designed to be robust, but not clunky in appearance.
The New London Community Recreation Center is more than a building—it is a symbol of perseverance, collaboration, and transformative impact. By overcoming complex engineering challenges, the project team delivered a facility that will serve the community for generations to come. From structural ingenuity to economic revitalization, this center embodies the values of innovation, resilience, and civic pride.
R. Scott Erricson, P.E. is the Founding Principal of e2 engineers. Following eight years of practice with established consulting engineering firms, Scott decided to start his own firm near his Connecticut hometown. Over twenty years later, Scott has completed a wide range of projects in the academic, high-end residential, science and technology, institutional, and industrial building sectors. His practical and creative approach define e2’s practice and shapes the organizations ever-growing team of professionals. Scott has a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Rhode Island.
4:00 p.m. Meeting of the Environmental Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) at CT State Community College Three Rivers
The Environmental Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee serves as a vital bridge between the classroom and the professional world. Its guidance ensures the program remains current, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of industry—while reinforcing the college’s mission to prepare students for meaningful, sustainable careers. At this meeting, the college is looking for input on updates for the A.S. degree in Environmental Engineering Technology as well as two key certificate programs (Land Surveying & GIS
Environmental Health & Safety). If you would like more information about this meeting and how to attend, please send an email to [email protected].
5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration and Social Hour followed by a Dinner and Presentation
Multi-Purpose Room, F117, CT State Community College - Three Rivers, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360
To get to the room from the main entrance, go past the security desk down the hall of the C Wing to the end. Take a right into the F Wing and the Multi-Purpose Room (F117) will be on your left.
Driving Directions:
From New London:
Follow Route 32 to I-395. Take Exit 11 (old Exit 80). At the end of the exit ramp turn right.**
(travel time approximately 15 minutes)
From Groton/Mystic:
Follow I-95 south to Route 32 – Norwich. Take I-395 north to Exit 11 (old Exit 80). At the end of the exit ramp turn right. **
(travel time approximately 25 minutes)
From Colchester and points West:
Follow Route 2 east until it merges with Route 32 south. Take Exit 28S onto I-395 south to Exit 11 (old Exit 80). Take a left at the end of the Exit ramp (Route 82 West Main Street).**
(travel time approximately 23 minutes)
From Jewett City and points North:
Take I-395 south to Exit 11 (old Exit 80). Take a left at the end of the exit ramp (Route 82 West Main Street).**
(travel time approximately 20 minutes)
From Ledyard/Navy Sub Base area:
Follow 2A (Mohegan Pequot Bridge) to I-395 north. Take Exit 11 (old Exit 80) At the end of the exit ramp turn right. **
(travel time approximately 25 minutes)
From New Haven and points south:
Take I-95 north to I-395 north (exit 76). Take I-395 north to Exit 11 (old Exit 80). At the end of the exit ramp turn right. **
** From all points above:
Go five lights down to New London Turnpike. Turn right. The Three Rivers campus is about .2 miles on left.
Parking Directions:
It is open parking at the College after 5 p.m. Please park near the main entrance of the building, which is located along the East Campus Roadway and near the bookstore and the A Wing of the building. The main entrance to the building is shown on the right side of the campus map.
Room Location:
The meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room, F117. To get to the room from the main entrance, go past the security desk down the hall of the C Wing to the end. Take a right into the F Wing and the Multi-Purpose Room (F117) will be on your left.
CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $80.00 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $90.00 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
Non CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $90.00
Non CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $100.00
Full Time Students - No NYS PDH: $30.00 (FYI - Student membership in ASCE/CSCE* is free - To join ASCE/CSCE, please visit www.asce.org)
Unemployed CSCE Members: No Charge
Only attending the presentation - No meal: No Charge
Reservations received and accepted after October 14th, may incur a $10 additional fee.
Payment is required with registration unless other arrangements are made. CSCE cannot give refunds after the final dinner order has been placed.
Please register to attend this dinner meeting by clicking on the following link:
Table Top Sponsor - $100 - Table signs with your company logo on each dinner table
Flyer Sponsor - $250 - Your company logo on event promotional emails and upcoming events flyer distributed at dinner meeting
Promotional Item Sponsor - $500 - This sponsorship offers your company logo on a promotional item that will be distributed at the dinner meeting. The item can either be provided by the sponsoring company or CSCE can order an item that is purchased by the company.
Social Hour Sponsor - $1,000 - Your company logo will be included on meeting promotional material and signage recognizing your sponsorship will be displayed at the social hour.
To sponsor this dinner meeting, please click on the following link:
BECOME A SPONSOR
Donation Opportunities
Please consider a donation to the CSCE scholarship fund to help civil engineering students from Connecticut. All donations will help students in need. To make a donation to CSCE, please click on the following link:
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