Waveny House (capacity 160) may be rented for meetings, social events, and cultural activities. Commercial use is not permitted. Benefits for non-profit organizations at which items would be sold must have permission from the Park and Recreation Commission and a permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Information and application for use of Waveny House are available from the New Canaan Recreation Department, Post Office Box 852- 677 South Avenue, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840, telephone number 203-594-3600. . New Canaan residents and organizations may rent Waveny House for their own use up to two years in advance. The Director of Recreation has the right to refuse or cancel use by a New Canaan resident or New Canaan organization if there is evidence that this prospective renter is in reality renting Waveny House for someone who is not a New Canaan resident. Proof of residency is required. Non-residents and non-resident organizations may rent Waveny House up to one year in advance. A lottery for bookings will be held on the first working day of each month.

Rental Fee

This fee includes 10 hours use of the House, patio, and the surrounding lawn. The Walled Garden is not included in the rental fee. Tables, chairs, china and flatware are provided for 160 people (see Inventory). All other items must be supplied by user. The individual who signs the application assumes all responsibility for the rental. All payments, correspondence, and communication regarding the use of Waveny House will be through this individual. We do not accept credit cards. All checks should be made payable to the Town of New Canaan. The mailing address is the New Canaan Recreation Department, Post Office Box 852, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840. As only one rental is allowed each day, the renter may set his/her hours within the following guidelines:

1. The Rental fee for Waveny House includes the use of the house for a maximum of 10 hours. There are no extra hours. If your use exceeds the 10-hour maximum limit you will forfeit your $750 cleanup bond. There are curfew restrictions for the use of the house: The bar must close and music must stop at 11:30 p.m. The house must be cleaned and the premises vacated by 1:00 a.m. If the 1:00 a.m. curfew is violated, the person renting the house will forfeit their $750 cleanup bond.

2. "Use-hours" begin at the time the House is opened for any reason i.e. deliveries, caterer, florist, and does not conclude until all renters, guests and help have left the House and the Park. The responsible renting individual must inform the New Canaan Recreation Office at least 30 days in advance what hours he/she would like the House opened. This information may not come from someone else. All applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit. Bookings will not be done on a "hold" basis. The balance of the rental fee along with the Bond is due to the New Canaan Recreation Department 90 days prior to the event.

Cancellation

Notice of Cancellation must be submitted in writing to the New Canaan Recreation Department Office as soon as possible. If your use of Waveny House is cancelled the following policy will be in effect:

Cancellation 60 to 90 days prior to use, you are responsible to pay 50% of the rental fee.
Cancellation 0 to 60 days prior to use, balance is forfeited.
In all cases the clean-up bond will be returned.

Bond

A $750.00 bond in the form of a separate check, made payable to the Town of New Canaan, must be posted 90 days prior to use to guarantee cleanup of the House and lawns, and to cover damages which might occur to the House. Depending on the nature of the event, the Recreation Director may require a larger bond to be posted. The bond, less any deductions for damages will be returned within 30 business days of the event, providing all financial obligations have been paid, including the New Canaan Police Department's bill. If the facility is not left in good order, the Town reserves the right to hold the entire bond until adjustments are made to correct any problems. If the 1:00 a.m. curfew is violated, the person renting the house will forfeit their $750 cleanup bond.

Caterer Requirements

The Town of New Canaan requires that all caterers furnish a Certificate of Insurance for Commercial General Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000., naming the Town of New Canaan- Waveny House as additional insured and also a copy of the caterer's Qualified Food Operator Certificate and/or Caterer's License. All documentation is due a minimum of thirty days prior to the event.

Appointments

If you wish to look at the House or come to the House with your caterer, florist, etc., an appointment must be made with the New Canaan Recreation Office at least one day in advance. Appointments may be made Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., if the House is available.

New Canaan Police Supervision

The number of Police Officers will be determined by the Recreation Director at the time the application is approved. The user of the House must contact the New Canaan Police Department at 203-594-3500 to make arrangements to have the required Police Officers assigned. The user is responsible for payment. A Police Officer should be in attendance 15 minutes prior to the affair. At least one Police Officer should remain until all persons attending the function, with the exception of the cleanup crew, have left the park.

Custodial Service

The Town does not supply custodial service. The user of the House is responsible for providing all custodial services, including setting up and taking down tables, chairs and other materials, and general cleanup, and must comply with all House rules and procedures. A House Supervisor, paid by the New Canaan Recreation Department, will be assigned to be on hand for the hours you use the House. His responsibility is solely to supervise the use of the House and to make sure that the user complies with House regulations and rules. It is the responsibility of the user's caterer to check with the House Supervisor in advance as to the specific rules for clean-up.

Decorating

Decorating must be done under the supervision of the House Supervisor. All materials used for decorating must be in compliance with Connecticut State Fire Codes and be approved by the Fire Marshal of the Town of New Canaan. Candles must be enclosed by a glass funnel that extends 3 inches above the flame. Use of nails and screws is not permitted in any part of the House. Nothing may hang from or be attached to any lighting fixture. All hanging materials must be fitted with "s" hooks and wires and hung from the picture moldings. No tape of any kind is allowed on wallpaper or painted surfaces. The Town of New Canaan is not responsible for any materials or items used. If the House is open prior to the event for the purpose of decoration, the time will be included as part of your use.

Deliveries

All arrangements for deliveries on days other than during the day of your use must be made by you with the New Canaan Recreation Office at least seven days prior to the event. Deliveries may be made, with a prior appointment, at the kitchen only on Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., if the House is available. We do not sign for any deliveries. The Town of New Canaan will not assume any responsibility for deliveries, but liquor will be placed in a locked area.

Clean-up

Proper clean-up after use of the House is the responsibility of the user and the user's caterer. At the conclusion of the event, trash and litter must be placed and sealed in plastic bags and placed in the dumpster located in the kitchen courtyard. At the conclusion of the affair, the house supervisor will go over a check list with the caterer and/or user's person in charge to insure all details of the use agreement are completed. Both parties will sign this list. The user is responsible for leaving the House, including the kitchen, and lawn in the same condition in which they were found. It is the responsibility of the renter to check with the house supervisor to ascertain that the user has complied with the House rules and regulations.

General

House equipment and furnishings may not be used on lawns or grounds, or moved from one location to another in or around the House before, during or after any affair unless prior approval is granted by the Recreation Director. The bandstand should not be used for serving food and drink, but decorative uses may be discussed with the Recreation Director.
The library and billiard rooms are not available.
No tips or gratuities are to be offered or given by you or your caterer to any Town employee. ALL WET BARS SET UP IN THE HOUSE ARE RESTRICTED TO THE BREAKFAST ROOM. Parking is not permitted in the front circle of the house. The chain at the entrance must remain in place until your Police Officer arrives. Cars may then drive in to drop off passengers. All music, whether inside or outside, must stop by 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Outside music must stop at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.
"Smoking is not allowed in Waveny House." The user is responsible for reminding their guests of this policy.
The house must be cleaned and the premises vacated by 1:00 a.m. Fireplaces may be used but user must provide firewood. ABSOLUTELY no artificial logs will be allowed. RICE, PAPER OR METALLIC CONFETTI, PAPER OR FLOWER PETALS, GLITTER AND BIRDSEED ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF WAVENY HOUSE. Balloons or other decorations are not allowed at either gate to the park. Pets are not allowed in Waveny House. Activities are prohibited that would injure the grounds or buildings. NO TENTS ARE ALLOWED AT WAVENY HOUSE OR ON THE GROUNDS AT WAVENY PARK. Rental chairs are not permitted inside Waveny House or on the Terrace. Rental chairs are only allowed for use in the Walled Garden. No vehicles are allowed off the paved areas without a visible permit received from the New Canaan Recreation Office. This permit will be dated and must be obtained by the renter during regular business hours of the New Canaan Recreation Office.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages may only be served and consumed within Waveny House and the premises immediately adjacent thereto. Alcoholic beverages may be sold if the user obtains the necessary State and Town permits as required by Town Code 42-8A(1) (b). Copies of these permits must be filed with the Recreation Director 14 days prior to the use. Bar service must stop at 11:30 p.m.

Compliance with State and Town Laws

User of the House must comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the State of Connecticut and Town of New Canaan including but not limited to safety, fire and zoning laws and regulations, and the Town reserves the right to terminate any use which is not in compliance. Attendance at any House use must not exceed a specified number of persons to be determined by the Fire Marshal, taking into account the space used, the kind of function, etc. You may not put up any signs, etc. in the Park. The legal occupancy load on the first floor is:

Grand Hall - 80
Dining Room - 40
Sitting Room - 40

Inventory

Inventory guaranteed to House users:
    20 round tables, 60" diameter and 16 round tables, 30" diameter and 2 round tables 36" diameter
    12 - 6 foot long tables
    12 - 8 foot long tables
    6 card tables
    160 chairs
    160 place settings china (cup, saucer, 10" plate, 2-7½" plates)
    160 place settings stainless flatware (knife, fork, spoon, salad fork)
    25 salt & peppers
    24 cream pitchers, sugar bowls
    8 thermos pitchers
    4 coffee pots

The kitchen appliances are as follows:
    8 burner Garland gas stoves
    4 Garland ovens
    1 double door S.S. refrigerator
    1 stand-up freezer
    1 dishwasher

Note: Subject to Change

Waveny House Rental Fees

Appointments to See Waveny House

If you wish to look at the House or come to the House with your caterer, florist, etc., an appointment must be made with the New Canaan Recreation Department Office at least one day in advance. Appointments may be made Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., if the House is available. No appointments to see Waveny House will be given before or after hours, holidays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Contact the Recreation Department Office at 203-594-3600 to make an appointment.

Rental Contracts

The individual who signs the application assumes all responsibility for the rental. All payments, correspondence, and communication regarding the use of Waveny House will be through this individual. We currently do not accept credit cards.

The Director of Recreation has the right to refuse, or cancel, use by a New Canaan resident or New Canaan organization if there is evidence that this prospective renter is in reality renting Waveny House for someone who is not a New Canaan resident. Proof of residency is required.

New Canaan residents and organizations may rent Waveny House for their own use up to two years in advance. Non-residents and Non-resident organizations may rent Waveny House up to one year in advance. The procedure for Non-Resident contracts signed one year in advance will be handled in the following manner: A representative must be present at a lottery held at 9:00 a.m. on the first working day of each month. Those present to book Waveny House are given a number. Bookings will then be taken in order of numbers drawn. Signed contracts and non-refundable deposits are due at this time.

Contracts for the rental of Waveny House may be viewed or printed at: