The Granby Capital Priority Planning Advisory Council (CPPAC) has re-convened with renewed purpose and partnership. Meeting twice a month, the council brings together representatives from the board of education (BOE), board of selectmen, and board of finance to review both municipal and school capital needs. Together, the town boards are engaging in forward-thinking discussions to assess capital priorities, balance resources, and plan responsibly for Granby’s future.
As chair of the board of education, I am appreciative of this spirit of collaboration. CPPAC’s work ensures that every project—whether for the schools, town facilities, or shared community assets—is considered within a unified framework that reflects both fiscal responsibility and community impact.
At our first meeting on Oct. 6, the Granby Memorial High School turf field and track replacement was presented as a top priority for the BOE. Originally installed in 2013, the field has served as a hub for student athletics, town sports organizations, physical education classes and community events. However, the field is now well beyond its life expectancy of 8-10 years and over time structural issues such as sinkholes and subsurface settling have emerged. Currently, there are portions of the field that are unsafe for use and home track meets have not been held since the 2023 season.
Professional geotechnical evaluations have confirmed decomposing organic material and poorly compacted soil beneath the turf are the root causes of the sinking. The proposed solution is a “Post-Tension” concrete base replacement to provide a long-term, stable foundation with an expected 25-year warranty. This approach, while costly, represents the most viable and durable option for restoring the field. These reports and the superintendent’s presentation to CPPAC are available at www.granbyschools.org
We look forward to continued conversations with CPPAC as we collectively plan for the replacement of the GMHS turf track and field, along with other key BOE capital priorities. Current priorities include much-needed renovations at Granby Memorial Middle School, now 33 years old; expanded district-wide storage to support facilities and maintenance operations; and replacement of the Wells Road School gymnasium floor.
On behalf of the BOE, I extend sincere gratitude to the members of the CPPAC and our town boards for their dedication to this collaborative process. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a more vibrant Granby.