Brookfield High Student Sounds Off on Cadigan Reconstruction

Written by Cameron Gleichauf

The town of Brookfield voted to spend 5 million dollars to install multiple turf fields, new basketball and tennis courts, fix bathrooms, and add picnic pavilions. The Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 in September of 2013 to do their business with Land Tech out of Amityville, N.Y. for 2.3 million dollars. The other bid, which was seriously considered, was from a Brookfield native, Lapaluccio, for only $5,000 less. However, the board decided to go with Land Tech’s due to their experience.

According to The News Times, Land Tech has been assigned the entire project so as not to cause confusion between different contractors. The park’s facilities had not undergone a major renovation since the 1960’s. The state authorized a $750,000 grant to help subsidize the cost of the renovation. In 2010, the town voted against revamping the Cadigan Park. The main reason for this was the sizable cost.

Brookfield Patch reports that, “at that time, voters rejected a $5.3 million bundled proposal that included renovations to the beach and Cadigan Field, as well as the original Kids Kingdom.” The high price tag was reportedly due to the multi-purpose building at the beach, which would reportedly cost $1.3 million.

The fields were completed and have been ready for action since August. The Pop Warner football players now have quality fields upon which to practice. The basketball and tennis courts are currently being redone along with the baseball/softball field in the back. Bathrooms and the picnic pavilion inside the actual park have yet to be redone.

The need for a new football field was apparent to those who played. Former Pop-Warner player Varisht Nellicherry divulges that, “the grass was never mowed. Anytime it rained, the water never drained, it just sat on top and created mud. Multiple ankle injuries were attributed to the poor field conditions.” The new field will help to reduce injuries.

The reconstruction of Cadigan Park and fields will help to make Brookfield a better place for kids and the community.

Photo: Google maps