Sally E. Bahner Photo
(L-R):Grove, Hawley and Kendrick.
The dual renovation projects – at the Walsh Intermediate School and the Community Center – are resulting in the need to juggle sports schedules. Now it turns out that virtually all the fields at Walsh have been removed and at this juncture there are no funds to revive them.
This latest turn of events came to light at a recent Public Building Commission (PBC) meeting as PBC members, wading through the details of both projects, learned about the overall condition of both the Walsh and the town’s fields. The PBC has discussed sports schedules over the past year.
However, given that the games and the fields will be affected during the renovations, another issue came to the surface at a recent PBC meeting: the overall condition of the town’s athletic fields, including Walsh’s.
As the PBC (along with the Board of Education) prepares to host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Walsh project this Thursday at 9 a.m., the commission was confronted by a group of parents (See top photo) concerned about impact of sports events on fields they had come to rely on.
Parents discussed two topics: how games will be affected and how poorly they view the fields upon which their children play, especially during the renovations. They also revealed that the fields at Walsh had been removed and they were displeased with the overall condition of the town’s athletic fields.
Four parents outlined the issues at Walsh. They also said they had previously met with First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove who attended the PBC meeting. So far no funds have been allocated for restoration of the Walsh fields.
John Grove, a 15-year resident with a 12-year-old at Walsh and a 16-year-old at Sacred Heart, brought three concerns to the commission. He stressed the need to improve the existing town facilities and bring them to the best overall condition.
Regarding the Walsh project, he said that the first thing they removed was the fields. It was “a colossal mistake” to not address removal of the fields, he said. “We need to figure out how to get them back into the mix… a master plan is needed.”
Part of the problem boils down to funding. For the $88.2 million Walsh project, the fields are not part of state reimbursement package.
Grove said that Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi, Jr. and his team have done a great job at Foote Park. But as a bigger project, he said that the 40-acre Veterans Park off Brushy Plain Road could be used for a master sports plan.
Towns Don’t Want to Play in Branford
Pete Hawley, another parent, said that he met with Cosgrove in July regarding the fields. “Everywhere we go is nicer.” Regarding the Walsh fields, he added that towns don’t want to play in Branford. “The Walsh field is the worst grass field I’ve seen,” he said. “Two more turf fields are needed.” He encouraged the administration to look at Guilford’s fields as a good example.
“We are putting money into [Walsh] without improvement. There are drainage issues,” Hawley said. He went on to say that youth sports is struggling and that people are avoiding the town. “There is lots of stuff you learn by playing sports. Kids are the future,” he said.
Parent Nancy Kendrick said there is a need to start planning. She said she understands the state reimbursement issue, but there needs to be better coordination. “There are two major projects and not enough room.” She added that we need to come together as a town and get a schedule in place for the coming season. “We want to bring families to Branford.”
Dave Callahan, whose sons have been active in youth sports, said, “We should open up and showcase the town to show them what we’ve done… paint a picture of the town being beautiful… keep the kids here.”
Cosgrove said that a group has come together. “We knew there would be a coordination issue… As we move forward, we’ll look at the scope of the project.” He said that they’ll start to plan with the consultants. “Facilities end up being town assets… we will work on that.” He did not give specifics, but this was the first time the state of the athletic fields was discussed in a public meeting.
There’s been discussion in recent meetings about the relocation of a basketball court/play surface at Walsh, which is used for free play and recess. Due to the reconfiguration of traffic due to construction, the current surface is at the end of the still existent girls’ lacrosse field. Again it came up for discussion and Michael LoSasso of Antinozzi Architects said that other areas will be looked at in the context of reviewing the fields in general.
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