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Parents propose privately funded pavilion, restrooms and team rooms at Simsbury High School turf
Summary
A parent-led group asked the Simsbury Board of Education for permission to start private fundraising to build a pavilion with ADA restrooms, concessions and two team rooms at the high‑school turf; the group said no town funds would be requested and the district would assume maintenance after construction.
Kelly Connelly, speaking for a parent-led group called Friends for Simsbury Athletics, asked the board for support to begin private fundraising to build a permanent restroom and concessions pavilion with two team rooms at the Simsbury High School turf athletic complex.
"Our proposed project is the construction of a permanent bathroom and concessions facility at the Simsbury High School Turf Athletic Complex, which will include the addition of two team rooms for home and away teams," Connelly said, describing ADA‑compliant restrooms and improved accessibility for elderly spectators and families.
Connelly emphasized the group’s intent to fund the project entirely through private and local-business donations and said the group would not request any town or Board of Education funding. "Once all the funds are raised, we will pass the project onto the — you gracious people — to ... fulfill through [the selected contractor]," she said, detailing a plan for district maintenance after construction.
Board members and Connelly discussed next steps and oversight. The presenters showed an initial rendering and said it would include donor recognition opportunities such as plaques and naming rights. Connelly said the group had begun outreach to alumni networks and prospective donors.
Cost estimates were discussed during the presentation but are unclear in the transcript. Connelly said early contractor figures "range anywhere from one to 1.3" and at one point said "we're going for 15," but the meeting record does not provide clear units or a definitive total. The board asked staff to treat the presentation as an initial vetting and to clarify how a privately funded capital project would be integrated with the district’s capital plan and construction/maintenance processes.
Connelly said the group hoped to go "live" with fundraising after receiving board feedback and a final go‑ahead. The board did not vote on any formal action during the presentation; members thanked the presenters and asked for follow-up information on budget estimates, contractor selection, and how the facility would be folded into the capital plan once funds were raised.
Next steps: the presenters said they planned to reconvene with their team and return with clarified cost figures and a timeline; the board indicated it would work with staff to define how an externally funded facility would be accepted and maintained.
Ending: The presentation concluded with board members expressing appreciation for the community initiative and asking staff and the presenters to follow up with more detailed cost and implementation information.
