P&Z Awaits Baseball Field Plans For Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

A diamond is emerging amid the vacant brick buildings at Fairfield Hills.

An anticipated 90-foot baseball field’s plans will become clearer for Planning and Zoning commissioners by early next month.

On May 3, the Planning and Zoning Commission will perform a site plan review for the proposed baseball field in the area currently occupied by Fairfield House at Fairfield Hills, according to O&G Industries Inc preconstruction manager David Cravanzola. Plans specify that Fairfield House will be abated and demolished to make room for the ball field. The work is in accordance with the master plan, he confirmed via e-mail.

Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Bob Geckle explained, “Technically, we have to present a site plan and have P&Z approve it.” He indicated that there is nothing “out of the ordinary” regarding the field plans, unlike recent issues raised over a proposed change in town hall redevelopment. Focus on Bridgeport Hall rather than Shelton House, which was stipulated in the master plan, came into question at P&Z hearings earlier in April.

Mr Geckle said, “The field is always where we wanted it to be.”

The Parks and Recreation Department members, who have expressed an urgent need for the field, submitted an application to Planning and Zoning on April 6.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Barbara Kasbarian said, “There are only two 90-foot fields in town and the high school, middle school, and Babe Ruth teams are all vying for these fields.” Baseball diamonds located at the high school and middle school accommodate some players and leagues, while the Walnut Tree field is used for ages 13 years old and under because of proximity to homes, she said.

Demolition activities are proposed to start in late May to early June, followed by field construction activities, with seeding completed by the end of September. Site development plans for the trails will follow in the coming months.

Keeping a close watch on the timing, Ms Kasbarian said, “September, it’s got to be done by then.” She and other officials are worried about the grass seed becoming established. She said, “It will take a year to give the grass time to form a good root base.”

Costs are an estimated $330,000 for demolition and abatement, $525,000 for field installation, and a combined $212,000 for phases one and two of trail work.

The funds will draw from the roughly $21 million appropriated for the overall Fairfield Hills project.