Kanarraville moves to apply for planning grant covering falls, Cobblecrest and modular sport courts

Kanarraville’s Town Board agreed March 12 to pursue a parks-and-recreation planning grant to develop designs for the falls, the Cobblecrest site and possible VersaCourt modular courts. Committee member (Speaker S5) told the board the planning grant would cover landscape architecture and engineered design work so the town could plan phased construction without an immediate local cash outlay.

Speakers discussed two broad options for the Cobblecrest/ball-field area: remove the existing field or convert it to lower-water-use facilities such as VersaCourt modular courts, artificial turf or multiple small courts. Members noted construction costs could be substantial — board discussion referenced excavation and concrete costs that could range into multiple tens of thousands of dollars depending on scope — and emphasized planning is needed to estimate lifecycle costs and maintenance. Speaker S5 said some construction grants later typically require matching funds (examples discussed around a 60/40 split), but the planning grant itself would require no match.

Board members raised operational concerns including lighting, parking and security (cameras), and the possibility of using town equipment and volunteer labor for matching “sweat equity.” A parent active in Little League suggested a ball field with lights could generate rental revenue and wider use, but several members warned of ongoing watering and maintenance costs. The board directed staff to include all three sites in the planning grant application and to obtain quotes from Sunrise Engineering and other vendors for planning estimates.

Next steps: staff will prepare and submit a planning-grant application covering the falls, Cobblecrest and VersaCourt options, gather quotes from engineering vendors, and report back with planning timelines and estimated construction-phase matches.