Simsbury Soccer Club wins town encouragement; selectmen authorize manager to draft MOU for Curtis Park upgrades

The Simsbury Soccer Club presented a feasibility and master‑plan concept for Curtis Park on Jan. 13 and won formal support from the Board of Selectmen when the board authorized the town manager to draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the club that would preserve the club’s priority access while the group raises money for a phased redevelopment.

Ben Berger, president of the Simsbury Soccer Club, described a 50‑year‑anniversary initiative to repair and expand Curtis Park, proposing new turf fields, an additional field, walking paths, a playground, lighting and a building that would provide concessions, bathrooms and meeting space. Berger said the club would fundraise for most of the work, hire field‑design specialists (Activitas) for engineering, and use Cogeo to assist with fundraising; club leaders emphasized they would phase the work so short‑term needs can be addressed first and larger elements would follow after fundraising.

Tom (parks staff) and members of Culture, Parks & Recreation told the board the project would improve safety, traffic flow and accessibility and that the department supports further study and an MOU. Tom said the town and the club had already invested in Curtis Park and the club had contributed roughly $500,000 for improvements over the last 15 years; the proposal seeks to build on that stewardship.

After questions about field use, lighting, ADA access, funding and construction timing, the board voted to authorize the town manager to draft an MOU for the board’s consideration that would define responsibilities, long‑term maintenance, priority access terms and the process for fundraising and permitting. The board requested a draft MOU back within 30 days.

Berger said the club intends to fund the work privately and to agree a defined term of priority access in exchange for the club’s capital investment. Activitas’ conceptual phasing shows an initial phase creating four playable fields (three turf, one grass) and adding a playground and restroom/concession building; later phases would expand and improve field wings and circulation.

Board members and staff discussed logistics, including parking, connections to the town bike path, and floodplain constraints on off‑site parcels. The club and town staff said they would work through permitting and construction phasing in coordination with land‑use boards. Parks staff said the work will require land‑use approvals and clarified that funding and procurement rules would apply to any municipal component.

The board’s authorization is not a funding commitment; it allows town staff and the club to develop a formal MOU that will return to the board for discussion and a possible vote. The Board of Selectmen’s motion to authorize the town manager to draft the MOU passed by voice vote with all members present saying the motion is favored.