Lt. Governor: New Tolland Courts Epitomize STEAP Grant Program

TOLLAND, CT — Connecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz certainly appreciated the irony of it all during a visit to Tolland Wednesday. A cold rain was pelting the new combination tennis and pickle ball courts at Crandall Park, but they also served as a telling example of how the STEAP Grant program can brighten up a community.

"That's why out administration was happy to provide a boost to this project through $500,000 of funding from a source called the Small Town Economic Assistance Program," Bysiewicz said while employing the formal name of the STEAP program.

Bysiewicz continued, "STEAP grants fund economic development, community conservation and quality-of-life capital projects for localities that are ineligible to receive Urban Action Bonds."

She also wasn't lost on the growing popularity of pickle ball.

"With this partnership between the state of Connecticut and the Town of Tolland, we are finally here today to mark this milestone for Tolland's tennis players and pickle ball enthusiasts," she said.

The new blue courts have adjustable nets and overlapping lines for both pickle ball (yellow) and tennis (white) and the courts are of the same makeup as those used at the U.S. Open — post-tension.

Recreation director Bruce Watt said that, in the technique, concrete is poured over cables that span the length of the courts. These cables are then mechanically tightened as the concrete hardens and ultimately creates a stronger surface that is much less prone to cracking with age.

"These are great courts and they were certainly not possible without the state grant," Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley said.

The town isn't close to being done with adding courts under the same financing. Another $332,000 in STEAP funding has been earmarked for exclusive pickle ball courts at Heron Cove Park, with construction planned for the spring and summer, Bysiewicz said.

"Recreation and enjoyment of outdoor space is a large part of this community," she said. "These projects will go a long way to encourage residents to make use of these public spaces while also staying physically active."

The town's match was $82,000 for the Crandall Park courts and will be $83,000 for the Heron Cove courts.