Public Hearing on Fields Plan Slated for Monday

After several revisions and a delay, South Windsor residents will get to hear and comment on a plan to add fields to Nevers Park.

A public hearing on the issue is slated to be part of the Town Council’s regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers.

After several iterations, the athletics field subcommittee had seemingly settled on a $2.1 million plan to build two oversized synthetic turf fields for use by high school sports and town recreation programs, a smaller grass field, a challenger baseball field for handicapped children, parking for 89 cars, a concession stand and perimeter fencing. One of the fields would have four light posts for night activities.

Financing for the plan had not been settled, with some discussion of bypassing a referendum and leasing the fields for 7 to 10 years, while paying for the fees out of the town’s operating budget.

And Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano is still firmly behind the plan and eager to get it underway, with an estimated 4,500 students using South Windsor’s fields per year.

But fellow Town Councilor Keith Yagaloff, who also serves on the subcommittee, said he prefers a smaller plan of just one artificial turf field and one grass field, with a challenger field being privately financed through fundraising. He would not support a concession stand, alternative financing methods or pushing the plan through without a referendum, Yagaloff said by phone Thursday.

“I’ve endorsed the larger project. I think it’s a good plan for the expansion of Nevers and will allow for new parking for the Nevers Park trails system,” Yagaloff said. “The [natural] field will be nice for people to fly a kite, play ball with their kids. It will be nice for the town. But I said I will not support a 63-20 corporation, a 501c3 or going without a referendum.”

Yagaloff said the project comes not out of dire need but as a part of “logical, regular improvement that is beneficial ...for moving the town forward.”

Bazzano, noting that South Windsor hasn’t built a new field in over 20 years, said the elements of the plan are pretty well cemented, though financing is undetermined.

Though he believes the total cost will come to about $2.4 million, Bazzano said he would like to see the cost to the town come in just under $2 million, with some type of fundraising and state grants defraying some of the cost.

The goal of the public hearing is to get residents’ input on the proposal, which the subcommittee will weigh before making a final recommendation to the council.

“The subcommittee will get together after the public hearing and decide how to move forward. It’s something we’ll get to the council fairly soon and we’ll discuss either referendums or leasing the project or funding it over a few years,” Bazzano said.

The 11-acre area, now under a year-to-year lease with a farmer, is bordered by a senior housing facility and a few single-family homes. Some resistance to the project from those neighbors is anticipated.

Town Manager Matthew Galligan was not available Wednesday or Thursday to discuss financing options for the town. 

What do you think of the plan?