Around Town

Find Out the Next Step for the Victory Field Project

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Having heard from the public about the proposed renovation of the track area of Victory Field, the Town Council has asked for revisions and will hold a meeting to discuss the project soon. At Monday’s Town Council meeting Town Council President Mark Sideris announced the next steps for Phase 2 of the Victory Field renovation. The proposed project includes replacement of the grass with artificial turf, a new track, resurfacing the tennis courts and the tot lot, addition of lights to the track and replacement lights on the courts. Also, a multi-use court would be added where basketball and street hockey could be played, and a new parking area would be created. Sideris said he and other councilors attended the two public meetings and heard the input from residents.

Government

Opponents, Supporters of Victory Field Phase II Speak Out

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The second public meeting about the proposal to renovate Victory Field II drew supporters and also more people opposed to the proposed artificial turf. Recreation Director Peter Centola told the more than 100 people at the library that the project is still in the draft phase. “This is the second of many meetings. I get frustrated when I hear ‘This is a done deal,'” Centola said. “Go to the neighbors of the Police Station.

Government

LETTER: Resident Opposes Victory Field Phase II Project

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To the Editor:

On Thursday, September 11th the Watertown Recreation Department hosted the first of two required public meetings regarding Phase II of the Victory Field renovation project. Roughly 100+ project stakeholders attended the presentation, including our Town Manager, local elected officials, high school varsity coaches, Victory Field abutters, and residents from throughout the community. After hearing presentations from the Recreation Department and project consultants, attendees were invited to speak and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the draft proposal. A majority of attendees shared their concerns with the project team; most referencing the economic, environmental, and health impacts related to the proposed synthetic turf that would replace existing natural grass within the track. Several attendees did speak in favor of the proposal, citing the increasing demand for appropriate practice times by Watertown High School athletic teams.

During the forum, Recreation Department Director Peter Centola confirmed to me that the fundraising efforts of Phase I have concluded with only 20% (roughly $300,000 on a $1.5M target) being raised. The project, we were informed, is now being paid entirely for by monies borrowed by the town due to the fact that, according to Centola, “the fundraising goal was too ambitious”.

Around Town

Residents Sound Off on Victory Field at Boisterous Meeting

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Well over 100 people made their voices heard during a volatile meeting about the proposal to renovate the track area of Victory Field. Many opposed the project, but the project had its strong supporters, too. The Phase II project calls for adding more parking, installing a multi-use court that can be used for hockey and installing a new track. The items that seem to cause the most controversy include replacing the grass inside the track with artificial turf and the addition of lights around the track (See more details on the Recreation Department’s proposal here). Glenn Howard, project architect with CDM, said the artificial turf would allow the field to be used earlier in the fall and earlier in the spring as well as later at night.

Around Town

Town Lays Out Plans for Phase 2 of Victory Field Renovations

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The Recreation Department has a wide range of upgrades and a few additions planned for the track and court areas of Victory Field. Plans include replacing the track, installing artificial turf inside the track, and improving the tennis and adding a multi-purpose court where basketball and street hockey can be played, said Recreation Director Peter Centola. The project is in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan, and has a budget of $2.5 million. The money would be borrowed by the town through bonds, Centola said. The Victory Field complex, which also includes the field where artificial turf was recently installed, serves not only as main recreation area for the town, it also serves as the home to many Watertown High School athletics teams and is used for physical education classes, Centola said.

Around Town

Victory Field Neighbors Worried About Future of Track Area

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The fence around the Victory Field tennis courts sits less than 100 feet from the back window of the home of Elodia Thomas and Bruce Coltin. The couple worries that proposed changes to the track area of the athletic complex will mean they will have to endure more light, noise and other annoyances in their home. In April, Thomas learned that the Recreation Department plans to renovate the track and courts at Victory Field. The plan calls for replacing the track and installing an artificial turf field and adding lights around the track. The courts would be redone, and a street hockey rink that can be frozen in the winter has also been proposed.