[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6335245,"mediaKeyId","2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1","parentId",2290392,"title","Waveny events, Lapham hours and pool finances: parks staff detail revenue streams and facility upgrades","audioSeconds",275,"startMs",2134145,"endMs",2409545,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1&start=2134&end=2409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1/thumbnail_2134145.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335245/Connecticut/Waveny-events-Lapham-hours-and-pool-finances-parks-staff-detail-revenue-streams-and-facility-upgrades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335245-60b122847778685f73225a5568724f63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182453&Signature=oA1MpQii4w1oIGrdB4u2aFskC9cURjyCF3icuyKxtgx4ms562wtTyZhWnzl8ROkBwdbtBFNJm7Cl~urLkGsuvSCc-JoXP6FXO1BGDzcS2zLOTlXVAQsjnO8Brjr9nVbKBngS-iD61xtvg9TOtbdvvc-783VTOAOgyQ8JS37C0G8fkyrtsrAUoDWAz0WDFK9h9TYcjUShVloSglM49kTpbmICkXtKU-WtsgJaO0BmcFbdK~3QppBMXT-E20SVn8uBxl6cgj1bo73Z7oMIgEOQN9diI7qWp9Xn5PK~DEI9AegpvI-0nJ-3VDcKPLmTJoS8g0BHvN7oHf9HJHxabc6kTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council Of New Canaan, CT","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","John (Parks Department presenter) said Waveny House has steady wedding demand and that staff are already booking into 2026. He said the department blocked the house for elevator installation roughly from December 2025 through March 2026 and that some elevator work is being done in the attic and basement so winter bookings could continue where feasible.

John described facility improvements already underway: conversion of a downstairs men’s bathroom to an ADA‑compliant family restroom and warranty work to correct early painting issues on the pickleball surface. He said staff expect visible landscaping improvements under new park superintendent Ryan Restivo. Staff reported Waveny shows an average of about 32 weddings per year since 2012.

On fees and self‑sustaining programs, John said the recreation self‑sustaining fund produced roughly $1.229 million in projected income for programs and events and that the fund pays program salaries, clinic fees and wedding rentals. He distinguished the pool as its own enterprise fund: the pool’s operating budget (about $581,000) is supported by membership and guest fees and covers lifeguards and maintenance; the pool fund also pays for capital‑level items (for example, a parking‑lot resurfacing done in the prior year). John said last year the pool fund absorbed a major parking lot expense out of user revenues.

Separately, staff said Lapham Community Center program hours had been extended with a grant that will expire halfway through next budget year; maintaining the extended hours would require $12,000 in town funds to cover the remainder of the grant year, and staff warned the town might need to budget another $12,000 the following year to continue the extended schedule.

Ending: Staff urged the town to consider facility timing when scheduling elevator and accessibility work, to confirm which pavilion and rental proposals best support summer camp operations, and to continue monitoring self‑sustaining and enterprise fund balances when weighing operating and capital requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Canaan Town Council and Board of Finance Subcommittee Meeting on Recreation February 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff reported steady wedding bookings at Waveny House and said elevator work and a new ADA family bathroom will occur during winter; staff also described the recreation self‑sustaining fund and the separate pool enterprise fund that pays for routine maintenance and staff costs.","taxTitle","New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",57946,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335250,"Town staff seek multi‑year park capital funds, including irrigation, bleachers and Dunning upgrades",300,3719480,4019480,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1&start=3719&end=4019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1/thumbnail_3719480.jpg","/articles/6335250/Connecticut/Town-staff-seek-multiyear-park-capital-funds-including-irrigation-bleachers-and-Dunning-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335250-fb8a31da2f2a0d420d1347cef2173d91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182453&Signature=HjZf4H~xDnHPckL1WiEZ4qyEJiCa38Xz~upEOEybqH~0lz2TbYf0nagsohldL5Kfea23l4EUm2EbllTh79DGQonQMoJ33b7sQ-LvkOL4UfPt7xWErszFh5pxZNZ2Lkjn4gIRDMNWaJsmkyBYKBEGg6KCD39EHEd7jYr9kBrMVSYmmROXgEehaMMjszM~bW4X-DSs2Bt17XsuPkmvfI0aADY1M2gneg9sMJwp05HHfcgtkMcfv~s7jSFlUoUkDkaDY5Ektppv2045X3k~ehK50jFTG~0a~VOYs0Qy9~3mreS6YdZP5h67sAvYjUEYWFp47GNtC-OScHYgergqFwWp8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John (Parks Department presenter) reviewed the parks capital request, framing several items as either ready to construct this summer or part of an ongoing multi‑year program.

Irrigation and field work: staff asked for $175,000 to fund irrigation replacement work at Mead Park and Saxon Connor after bids returned within reach of available funds. John said the request will allow the town to replace piping and sprinklers at those fields when school is out.

Bleachers and Dunning Stadium: staff flagged potential structural work on bleachers and requested a contingency figure around $100,000 while a final quote is pending; John said he prefers to request enough now to avoid a mid‑season closure if repairs run long. Tiger (town staff referenced for Dunning) and John tied a separate $2,000,000 enterprise‑zone line for Dunning Stadium to ADA accessibility and parking‑lot safety improvements; John said Tiger would present details at the board of finance capital hearing.

Smaller capital items: the list includes playground updates ($30,000 proposed for Kiwanis repairs), replacement of outdoor AEDs (about $30,000 to replace end‑of‑life units installed under a Norwalk Hospital grant), picnic‑table and bench replacements, track resurfacing and a $9,000 water‑fountain tie‑in for the high‑school track area. Staff also proposed a 30‑by‑60 pavilion at Waveny to support summer camp operations and rentals; John said the pavilion design is not complete and the site would be adjacent to summer‑camp tents and fields.

Staff explained some items had been deferred (the Kiwanis splash‑pad design was removed) pending a master plan; they recommended convening a Kiwanis master‑plan committee before committing to standalone features. John said the New Canaan Athletic Foundation currently holds funds for future field surfacing and carpet replacement but is not contributing to ongoing bleacher maintenance.

Ending: Staff framed the capital packet as a mix of maintenance priorities and new amenities; they asked capital funders to prioritize irrigation and safety‑critical bleacher work and to expect further detail from sports‑stadium staff on the Dunning enterprise‑zone request.","Parks staff presented capital requests including $175,000 for irrigation replacement at Mead and Saxon Connor, an estimated $100,000 for bleacher repairs, $2 million listed for Dunning Stadium enterprise‑zone work and smaller items (playground fixes, AED replacements, track resurfacing, water fountains).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335255,"Parks staff propose four lit pickleball courts at Waveny; officials urge testing, consider six",314,3150115,3464455,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1&start=3150&end=3464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1/thumbnail_3150115.jpg","/articles/6335255/Connecticut/Parks-staff-propose-four-lit-pickleball-courts-at-Waveny-officials-urge-testing-consider-six","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335255-51b95f2816235acf34334c79ddef427d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182453&Signature=RLF2X4kXnHDEk3~8E0WK38OFjNseFsu8OUeSJkTpTRDkNBrt1YWZKVceIikAaJSE5t-svUQv7dgoybtGD-UVvkpxtHrGZutCPMGCWT0afaqScTs98VUjtwcmqcVI3qSG1LoUnqYXN-holhwGmxH54hwLjBaBKAWrjj~ibVUJqtBhyGPRcvlLEWB523kPO3rmT82nywNo9LbuIomaQJd7h0Uj3PSEmgsZQ3qRTsMmq8RmjDZZ3ffGRLUfvC6nyGLMZwc-XIdVMRlduO0XQ1pRSAg1JrRUhm0VHfnfjQbQSEgOotMi7OVDhc-qJiyooAX7MZ~LXEF0Auq3iiK8vkPiDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John (Parks Department presenter) outlined a concept for new pickleball courts at Waveny Park, showing an approximate site and saying staff propose installing four courts with lighting. He said the location’s topography and evergreen buffer make it “a great addition” and that staff wanted courts residents could use earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

The proposal generated immediate support from several board members and commissioners who described pickleball as “exploding” in popularity. Michael (Co‑chair, Board of Finance) and other officials asked why only four courts; staff replied they would prefer six if the site and design allow it and agreed to evaluate whether six courts could be fit into the available footprint.

Officials raised two recurring concerns: sound and court orientation. Penny and other members asked about noise reaching the Waveny pool and neighboring properties; John said staff believe the pool sits below the proposed courts and that existing tree buffers should reduce sound, but commissioners recommended formal noise testing before construction. Several participants urged that a pickleball design specialist review placement and direction of play; John confirmed staff have spoken with a local contractor experienced with courts and would invite court designers and the town landscape architect, Keith Simpson, into design work.

Staff discussed alternatives: temporary seasonal surfaces for paddle courts and siting at Mead Park (which has residential neighbors and known sound complaints). Zach (Recreation Director) and others said Mead is less suitable because lighting and earlier hours there draw complaints; one participant noted the town may not be able to add lights at Mead because of the residential setting.

Ending: Staff asked that the board treat the request as a site‑selection and design phase; they will pursue noise testing, consult pickleball design experts, and return with a firm layout (including an assessment of whether six courts will fit) before the board considers capital funding.","Parks staff proposed installing four lit pickleball courts at Waveny Park, citing high demand and fewer sound complaints than other locations; several officials urged exploring six courts, noise testing and specialist input on orientation and design before final approval.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6335260,"New Canaan parks operating request holds near 5% as contract pay and meal allowances push costs",196,48915,245750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1&start=48&end=245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290392-2f28c892958386ad1641bcba045fbeb1/thumbnail_48915.jpg","/articles/6335260/Connecticut/New-Canaan-parks-operating-request-holds-near-5-as-contract-pay-and-meal-allowances-push-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335260-656054ef3919a7a7a4f07325d8515f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182454&Signature=EcbUzeYGo79vDceSXjtLl~kxFvB82eGZdPpVwT0T0obaYBPdURIov1V4H9FxYpcMIMsnFTql9R2PY-w0yHE6bGUdmtJLxg7ESZSQ8TZ9nY0Z8K-NsaAkq7R0fUD0JiLjLTc9f6Qy89FPHw8VtRRO7hAqj8dwuLBDR5czmuw7ynsRBJmN7tGjfVVGZKn5sZgpPk41Eh0SMg~obDnJ6mpAHtVAeRVEdp7j-AC6LaCDe3O18DgDOuHczhy6crsizpC6WKQz8AhZD~Tz2Thn9YyXDbaAt-cey8u74V7Ibpv-Hji4E92N2-dmSQkFjuKysNw0cAGrSAbewB0Q5YhGuDPj5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John (Parks Department presenter) opened a departmental briefing saying the Parks and Recreation operating budget request is “just over 4%” and that the parks maintenance line totals about $2,385,000, a 4.99% year‑over‑year increase.

The request reflects union contract carryovers and several line‑item adjustments. John said the public‑works union received “just under a 3% raise,” which compounds into next year’s request. He identified two small, added items tied to the union contract: a meal‑allowance adjustment (about $2,600) and a second contract adjustment (about $1,221). John said staff will ask the board of finance to add roughly $6,896 to cover the meal tickets and overtime contract adjustment.

The presentation separated recurring program revenue from the general operating request. John noted the recreation self‑sustaining fund contributes a $100,000 credit to offset rec administration costs and said the fund produces slightly more than that in annual revenue. He described the self‑sustaining fund as the source for program and clinic revenue and said it helps cover salaries and event costs.

Staff outlined other drivers in the parks operating request: a 6% projected increase in fertilizer and seed costs after removing one synthetic field from the grass‑treatment line; reallocation of about $17,050 from Civic Activities into parks operating (and $1,500 into recreation administration) to cover portable toilets and offseason needs; and an overtime adjustment tied to the contract. John said the 4.99% figure on his screen already includes the small meal/overtime adjustment.

The board’s discussion probed a proposed $45,000 part‑time park‑ranger/field‑monitor line. Zach (Recreation Director) described the role as two to three part‑time people to monitor fields in evenings and weekends. John and Zach said the positions would be hired if approved; if the board of finance removes the line during its review, “we won't be doing it,” John said.

Board members asked how much revenue the self‑sustaining fund generates; John said it is “just over a hundred thousand.” Commissioners and staff also discussed program enrollment patterns: membership counts are comparable with previous years while program registrations have declined, prompting staff to explore new program offerings.

Ending: Staff framed the operating request as targeted and largely driven by contract obligations and program choices; they asked the finance board to consider removing the $45,000 part‑time monitor line at that later review step while keeping the overall 4.99% increase intact for the selectmen’s book.","Parks staff presented an operating budget request just under 5% that officials said reflects recent public‑works union raises, meal allowances and overtime adjustments. Department leaders asked the board of finance to consider small technical adjustments while keeping the townwide increase near 4.99%.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waveny events, Lapham hours and pool finances: parks staff detail revenue streams and facility upgrades

Town staff seek multi‑year park capital funds, including irrigation, bleachers and Dunning upgrades

Parks staff propose four lit pickleball courts at Waveny; officials urge testing, consider six

New Canaan parks operating request holds near 5% as contract pay and meal allowances push costs