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While
driving south on Manitou Road, in the Town of Gates, near Buffalo Road, one
passes on the left an impressive salmon colored, red-tiled Italianate
building. The building, inaugurated with much fanfare in October 1997,
houses the Italian American Community Center (IACC), the
largest such Center in upstate New York.
Over the past one- hundred years, Rochester has been the home to several Italian
societies and clubs. These organizations served the diverse needs of the
newly arrived Italian immigrants and later the growing Italian American
population in the ethnic neighborhoods. As we progress into the 21st
Century, the IACC was founded in response to the changing needs and interests of
the large Italian American population in Rochester. The new
multi-functional center brings under one roof coordinated activities and
programming that were never previously in one location.
The idea for the Center was first developed ten years ago when a group of
energetic and dedicated people launched a monthly bilingual Italian-American
newspaper and first roughed out their objectives. The IACC building rose
from its foundation as a truly cooperative endeavor. The 70-acre plot was
acquired, memberships and sponsorships were sought, volunteer skills were
recruited and on inauguration day, what had been for the founders merely a
dream, was now a reality.
The IACC building contains three floors, with a total of 27,000 square feet of
floor space. The basement floor has a recreation room, bocce courts, and a
state-of-the-art fitness center. The main floor features a large
ballroom, with a capacity for 280 people, an Italian style bar/cafe and offices.
The top level is now complete with a Boardroom/Classroom, the Library, and a second
Banquet room with a dance floor and bar. The top level also contains a small
kitchen, coatroom and complete bathrooms.
The IACC activities' calendar has been crowded since the doors of the Center opened.
There are membership dinner dances, receptions, graduations, weddings, and
meetings in the Ballroom. The library collection includes Italian publications. Clubs
with special agendas were formed to meet the various interests of members.
The Italian language and Italian culture are being promoted with the library and
classes. The athletic component of the IACC programming includes bocce
tournaments and soccer games.
The facility is managed by the Board of Directors, a facilities manager, part
time and full time staff, as well as a large number of volunteers. Present
membership includes 550 families, and membership is open to anyone.
Visitors are welcome to tour the facility. Call (585) 594-8882, Monday
through Friday, 8 to 5, for further information and a tour.
President:
Vincent
Carfagna
1st
Vice President: Steve
Benedetto
2nd
Vice President: Peter Romeo
Treasurer:
Maria Kiss
Asst.
Treasurer: Phil Adams
Secretary:
Maria Romano
Board
of Directors: Joe Aleo, Jack Battaglia, Russ Calcagno,
Richard Campoli, Fred Costello, Mario
Daniele,
Rita D’Aoust,
Joanne DiIulio, Steve DiGennaro, Rita Fallone, Charles Fornataro,
Cristina Gatti,
Vincent Giordano, Anthony Monaco, Frank Oliveri , Maria Romano, Michael
Sciortino and
Joe Sirianni
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