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Parks staff update: turf field delay, pool backup pump, Waveny House elevator and courts timetable
Summary
Parks staff reported April 19 that winter weather delayed artificial‑turf work and that carpet installation for the new baseball field is expected to start in May; the department also announced a backup pump and new electronic lockers for the pool and a winter 2025–26 timetable for a Waveny House elevator.
John, a Parks Department staff member, gave the commission a broad operations update on April 19 covering field construction, pool upgrades, facility projects and court repairs.
On the artificial‑turf baseball field, John said poor winter conditions delayed the work; installers expect to begin carpet installation in May and that the carpet stage requires roughly 23 workdays to complete. He said some activities (practices and games) may occur before all perimeter work is finished because fence installation and top‑dressing (crumb rubber and sand) will continue after the carpet is laid.
At the Steve Benko Pool, John said the department purchased a backup pump last year and will install it to avoid multi‑day closures if the main pump fails. The department is also adding a bank of electronic lockers with facial recognition and USB charging ports; John estimated the installed locker count would likely be around 20 units but said the exact number was not finalized.
On Waveny House renovations, John said crews are prepping for an elevator installation expected to begin in winter 2025–26, with a lead time for elevator manufacture of approximately 32 weeks. He said the project involves cutting concrete and interior work and will likely be scheduled for the December 2025–March 2026 window.
Court repairs and surfacing work were discussed: tennis‑court contractors completed preparatory visits and courts will need firm, dry weather for rolling and final surfacing; a favorable weather window (roughly a week and a half) would allow reopening, but forecasted wet weather could push work back. For the Pickleball courts, John said the original installer remains under contract for follow‑up repairs and the town has contacted that contractor for a warranty or remedial response; the issue appears to involve concrete prep beneath the surface rather than a superficial paint failure.
Staff also reported that the town council and board of finance approved bonding that includes funding for proposed pickleball courts and a pavilion. The playground committee reported approximately $100,000 raised toward a new playground; the town submitted a grant application as well. John asked commission members to expect park assignments ahead of the May meeting for routine updates and encouraged volunteers to attend upcoming walkthroughs and events.
Doug (Nature Center) also invited commissioners to a site walk with Bill Flynn next Wednesday at 10 a.m. to review current and planned Nature Center projects; commissioners were asked to RSVP.
