West Hartford Approves Extra Dollars For Tennis Court Project

WEST HARTFORD, CT — With the town armed with nearly a half million dollars in extra funding as approved by officials last week, work is already underway to replace tennis courts at West Hartford's high schools.

The West Hartford Town Council voted unanimously Sept. 13 to approve a new ordinance allowing the town to borrow $495,000 to supplement a $3 million grant paying for the project.

As a result, both Hall High School and Conard High School will have brand-new tennis facilities, 12 courts each, when high school tennis season starts in the spring.

Hall High School is at 975 N. Main St. and Conard High School is at 10 Beechwood Road.

The project will include new courts, lighting, fencing, netting, landscaping and other amenities to replace the 25-year-old courts that were in need of repair.

West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith said at the council meeting that supply chain issues and inflation, a bugaboo afflicting the construction industry in general, has impacted this project.

Town officials were hoping $3 million from the State Bond Commission earlier this year would be enough.

It wasn't and Ledwith said the actual cost was about 12 percent larger than anticipated.

"The actual bid came in $354,500 more," said Ledwith, adding a figure of $495,000 extra was sought to take care of the shortfall and deal with any other cost overruns if they arise.

Prior to the council's vote, a public hearing on the matter drew only one commenter, an abutter who said he was surprised on Sept. 12, when tennis court demolition work actually began.

West Hartford resident Brian Clarke lives on Beechwood Road and his property abuts the courts at Conard.

He said at the hearing he was surprised when construction crews showed up near the courts and started work.

"I have no concerns with the financial aspects of this," Clarke testified at the hearing. "My concern is plans for the courts themselves."
He said there was no prior warning of the project, something he would have liked given rumbling construction equipment forced him to hastily grab glass items off their shelves out of fear they'd fall and break due to the vibrations caused by the crews.

Clarke said he "woke up at 7 a.m. Monday (Sept. 12) to the sound of chainsaws and people throwing metal bars around."

He also expressed concern regarding any possible impacts on his property, namely drainage impacts, among other worries.

Ledwith said he would work with Clark and abutters to make sure their property isn't impacted, with town officials saying in the unlikely event something does happen, the town would provide financial help.

Meanwhile, the town apologized for the Monday morning surprise.

"On behalf of the town, I do apologize for that lack of notice," Ledwith said to Clarke. "That absolutely should not have happened."

To watch the Sept. 13 West Hartford Town Council hearing and meeting, click on this link.

For the minutes of the Sept. 13 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From Aug. 23: 'Tennis Courts May Cost West Hartford Taxpayers More'