Farmington PZC Gaga Over Avon Scout's Project

FARMINGTON/AVON, CT — The name of the soon-to-be-built recreational feature at East Farms Elementary School in Farmington is a "Gaga Ball" pit.

But this recently approved playground accessory is neither a hole full of balls, nor is it a place where people sing songs from famous female pop stars.

Rather, Gaga Ball is a children's playground game played in an octogon and it resembles dodge ball ... and kids just love playing it.

And in Farmington, an Avon Eagle Scout recently had his plan to build a Gaga Ball pit at EFES, 25 Wolf Pit Road, approved by the Farmington Planning and Zoning Commission.

The vote on Jessica Szafran's application was unanimous and it will allow Avon Eagle Scout Devyaan Bordloi to build his scout project at the school.

"We plan to make this Gaga pit so the kids at East Farm will have the chance to enjoy more activities at recess," said Bordloi to the PZC at last week's meeting.

PZC members were grateful and receptive of Avon scout's proposal — and they were treated to a crash course on Gaga Ball as well. Many had never heard of the game.

As Bordloi explained, the game is played with a rubber ball where the objective is to throw a ball at fellow players inside the octogon.

Similar to dodgeball, a player is eliminated if hit on the legs below the knee, with the last one inside the pit winning the game.

"They didn't have those around when we went to school. I don't have any questions and I think what you're doing is a good thing, promoting kids being active, which is great," said Farmington PZC Chairman Inez St. James July 17.

Bordloi said the actual pit will feature a rubberized floor, with wooden walls covered in rubberized padding.

"All of the walls on it will have rubber padding, so no one gets hurt," Bordloi said.

For the minutes of the July 17 Farmington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For more information on Gaga Ball, click on this link.