Residents approve bond financing for athletic fields project

Pittsford residents voted to approve $6 million in bond financing for the Town’s Community Athletic Fields Improvement project during a town referendum held Tuesday, September 16. The  bond funding will finance the major portion of the estimated $6.3 million cost of improvements to the athletic fields and facilities, playgrounds and other related facilities located at the Town’s Hopkins Park, Great Embankment Park, and Thornell Farm Park, and the construction of new athletic fields at its Willard Road property. The funding was approved by 57% of voters.

“Our principal goal was to learn whether the community supports this project” said Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith. “This is a project of merit and a town-wide investment in our youth. The proposed improvements are long overdue and we can now proceed with confidence.”

The Town will now move forward with final design and will prepare bid specifications for contractors.  Bid specifications will likely be finalized this winter; contractors are expected to be selected by spring.

The fields project involves only Town-owned athletic fields in Town parks; however it is part of a collaborative effort between the Town of Pittsford and the Pittsford Central School District to resolve long-time issues surrounding athletic field conditions, availability, and maintenance on a community-wide basis.

The resulting cost of the $6 million bond financing to the average home assessed at $272,500 would not exceed $47 per year for 15 years.

The Community Athletic Fields Improvement Project will resolve issues related to unsatisfactory athletic field conditions stemming from overuse/excessive demand, the inability to take fields off-line to “rest” and regenerate, and grading/drainage issues while also addressing a need for improved accessibility to town athletic fields for those with disabilities.

Detailed project information, including the project summary and background information, and concept drawings of the fields, can be found on the Town of Pittsford website or viewed in the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall, 11 South Main Street.