Park and Rec shares plans for bathrooms, track

SHARON — The Park and Recreation Commission went before the Board of Selectmen to discuss several new construction projects during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan 13. 

The projects would include the construction of modern bathroom facilities at the Veterans Field complex, as well as a public walking track. The commission is seeking support from the selectmen and taxpayers for the projects, which could be paid for with state Local Capital Improvement Project funds (LoCIP).

Park and Rec Director Matt Andrulis-Mette informed the three selectman that with the recent improvements, including installing new fencing, use by town residents has increased significantly. 

He then explained that with the increased use, one of the building blocks for the continued improvement of the facility is the creation of modern bathrooms, which the facility does not currently have.

While plans for the facility are still in the design phase, Andrulis-Mette discussed a rough outline for a building located on the town side of the existing pavilion that would measure roughly 22 by 14 feet. It would contain male and female bathrooms, both with handicap access. A utility room would go between the bathrooms to house plumbing that would be connected to the town sewer and water systems as well as a utility closet with a “slop sink” for use by the public during events. 

Andrulis-Mette explained a similar facility located at the athletic fields at Salisbury School was being used as a model. Like the Salisbury facility, the Veterans Field bathrooms would consist of a concrete slab floor with a rubber coating over the top that would allow for quick and easy cleaning and maintenance.

First Selectman Brent Colley explained to the public the town was currently in possession of LoCIP funding. The funding which can be used for road, bridge and building improvements, could be allocated for the project in the spring. Although no official budget for the construction had been created, Andrulis-Mette indicated the cost for the construction would fall within the $100,000 of available funding.

In addition to the bathrooms, the department has also begun examining the possible creation of a public walking track. A rough plan for a one-third-mile track has been outlined. The proposed track would go around the soccer field, continue down the backside of the pavilion, cut down between the two baseball fields and then go back along the parking lot. It would be 6 feet wide and made of a mixture of compacted crushed stone, allowing for easy maintenance and repair.

The department received an estimate from Upcountry Services of Sharon for a total cost of roughly $70,000. 

Andrulis-Mette explained the importance of using a local company such as  Upcountry for the project. 

“A lot of the staff members have kids in our program. We’d like them to be involved with this project. They’re local. The trucking from there to the town garage would be minimal. Going into the future when there is a need for repairs and whatever, they’d have an investment in it not just because they did the work but because their staff use it as well.”

The financing would come from a capital campaign. Funding from area foundations such as the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation are already being explored. 

Andrulis-Mette said he has reached out to the state, specifically the recreational trails division of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for funding, and he plans to speak with businesses such as Sharon Hospital and banks in town. He also plans on making a public appeal to town residents.

The bathrooms are priority number one, he said, with the track second. With all funding approved, he estimated the bathrooms could be up and running by the summer.

All three selectman agreed that the projects seemed to be good ideas. However, before a commitment to fully supporting them could be made, final numbers for the cost of construction of the bathrooms was needed.

First Selectman Brent Colley requested that anyone with feedback or ideas should contact him at 860-364-5789 or Andrulis-Mette at 860-364-1400.-