Phase 1 Field Seeded At Vernon-Ellington Shared Athletic Complex

VERNON/ELLINGTON, CT — A section of the natural grass multi-sport athletic complex being shared by Vernon and Ellington has been seeded.

The deed was done Friday with special equipment. The 42-acre site is located off Windermere Avenue bordering the Hockanum River. It was dedicated in Sept. 2020.

Vernon Parks and Recreation Director Marty Sitler said the heavy rains over the weekend gave officials a slight scare, but on Tuesday, after an inspection, he said everything looked good.

The prevailing question is when would the field be ready for play in the spring? Sitler said the rapid growth seed and fertilizer combination typically takes about 21 days to germinate. But, he added, the field must be mature before it could be played on. Winter weather will have a say in the matter.

"It's up to Mother Nature," he said. "We would like to be able to use it this spring, but we are also not going to start playing sports on baby grass. When the field matures, it will be ready."

The field seeded is part of Phase 1 development.

The fields cost $1.93 million as part of the project funded by the town of Vernon. The complex will operate under a shared services agreement between the two towns.

The plan calls for at least three and ideally four fields suitable for lacrosse and soccer to be built in phases, and as part of what Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne called a "partnership with the youth sports organizations that will use the fields."

Open space, an improved riverbank and walking trails are also planned for the land.

Champagne also said the complex will allow Vernon to host tournaments. A concession stand is included in the plans.
The other fields will be built in succession, Champagne said.

The money for the purchase is being taken from Vernon's general fund by using extra revenues from money management, officials said. No borrowing has been involved.

The parcels were leased farmland and wetlands, roughly behind the CVS and Walgreens stores between Windermere Avenue and Route 83. Here they are:

• 21.52 acres assessed in Ellington for $799,660 and listed for $550,000. Vernon received an appraisal of $455,000 and made a successful bid of $445,000.
• 9.9 acres along the Hockanum listed for $27,270 and bought for $20,000.
• 11 acres in Ellington assessed at $378,000, listed for $399,000 and bought for $278,000.