Planned Sherry Field House Location Has Changed

Representatives of Washington Township Baseball Inc. went before the township council this week to outline revised plans for a field house at Sherry Field.

Mike Desena, an associate at engineering firm Stantec, said the location for the field house has moved because after sending out surveyors, the group learned that the original location would not be permitted because of its close proximity to a brook that could flood.

Desena said the new plans put the field house closer to Lafayette Avenue. "It pretty much lines up with the back of the T-ball bench area," he said.

The move takes the field house out of the no-build area and out of the space where it would require permits from the Department of Environmental Protection, Desena explained.

"I think it's a better location. It's more centrally located to the other fields," said Council President Fred Goetz. "I just like it closer to the street."

Council Vice President Steve Cascio said he also liked the change. "I’m much happier with it moved," he said. "That can allow us potential to possibly reconfigure the field if we had to in the future."

The footprint of the field house remains the same in the plans. The structure would have two handicapped accessible restrooms for men and women on the northerly side of the building. Concessions and a storage/utility room would be in the middle of the structure.

Councilman Joseph D'Urso asked about the donations Washington Township Baseball was requesting. The council , with the understanding that the baseball organization would collect as many donations as possible to pay for the work.

Desena said the group would be ramping up its efforts now that the council has shown support for the project.

Township Director of Engineering and Washington Township Baseball member David Frank said they should know by the end of the month how donations are going.

Councilman Richard Hrbek suggested the organization create a spreadsheet or table outlining the aspects of the project to give government officials a clearer picture. "I think the best way is to break the project out into individual steps and see where we have coverage and where there are gaps," Hrbek said.

Desena said putting money in the capital budget should encourage donations. "I think with the action of the council there's a buzz going on," he said.

Goetz said allotting money for the field house was giving Washington Township Baseball "a vote of confidence," but said council members will be looking for significant donations when they have to vote.

"We are enthusiastic about the plan, but we do have other residents and taxpayers to answer to as well," Goetz said.

Hrbek said he believed it would be beneficial to the entire township. "If you can build a structure like that for minimal cost to the taxpayers, it is a value," he said.