As highlighted in prior articles as well as at several board meetings, the Granby Capital Program Priority Advisory Council (CPPAC), which is responsible for defining capital projects, creating prioritization criteria and recommending a five-year capital Project Improvement Plan, is getting closer to its proposed bond request for board of selectmen approval.
At the onset of CPPAC’s reconvening, the board of education shared detailed information regarding the urgent need to replace Stadium Field (football field and track), estimates to replace all other athletic fields and a preliminary look at the increasing list of repairs and upgrades needed to modernize our aging middle school.
Granby issues bonds every seven years at $13.5 million, which maintains our current bond debt payments and keeps our mill rate level. The BOE proposed a $12 million ask for improvements to athletic fields and initial investment into middle school assessments and repairs.
GMHS Turf, Track and Field Replacement
Improvements to the athletic fields would include a reconstruction of Stadium Field that is currently experiencing sink holes (more information at this link: bit.ly/4pPEFbz) retrofitting current stadium lights to LED and replacement of the adjacent practice turf field at an estimate of $6.6M.
Since 2008, the baseball and softball fields have been recognized as being in rough condition and hazardous due to no irrigation source, limited maintenance staff, overuse and a lack of funding. Many parents have also expressed safety concerns because of the lack of protection for spectators and expressed embarrassment over Granby fields when playing other teams. Proposed improvements include long overdue replacement of the original baseball and softball fields with a multi-purpose turf field for baseball, softball and soccer usage at an estimated cost of $3.5M.
GMMS Renovations
While we know Granby Memorial Middle school, built 32 years ago, is in need of repairs and upgrades to meet the needs of today’s students, further details are required to help inform the BOE of the exact scope and funds required. In the coming months, a full facilities assessment will be performed by a trusted, expert investment management company. The findings will allow the BOE to put forward a fiscally responsible plan for a taxpayer-funded renovation—one that avoids pitfalls and ensures optimization of all reimbursement and grant options from the state. Current state “renovation to new” reimbursement rates are just under 50 percent. The BOE is requesting $1.75M to fund full, detailed assessments and initial repair costs per pending assessments.
With a plan to bring Granby Memorial Middle School current with today’s educational standards and building codes in the near future, we believe the timing is right for the long-needed improvements to the GMHS athletic fields. Sinkholes in the football field require repairs ASAP—it enables us to capitalize on vendor discounts and optimal timelines if we choose to tackle the additional fields simultaneously.
As CPPAC discussions and long-term planning continues, we encourage residents to look at the information gathered at the link below. Additional information will be added, including the full facilities assessment report, once completed later this year. granby.k12.ct.us/article/2470637