SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen will mull over the possibility of purchasing Sky Box Sports Bar and raze it for Rail Trail parking.
Selectman Joseph Deedy suggested yesterday that the town could use Community Preservation Act funds to buy the bar, which is for sale.
“It’s just a thought,” Deedy told his fellow selectmen during the new business portion of the board meeting last night.
“I think it’s phenomenal,” said Selectwoman Tracy Cesan. “We have no parking for the Rail Trail.”
Deedy said a parking lot for the trail, as well as overflow boat ramp parking, would be a good use of the land.
“And there are 50 neighbors who would like to see it gone,” Deedy said of the bar at 25 Point Grove Road.
Cesan said she believes resident John Whalley, who owns land adjacent to the Sky Box, offered to give the town a right of way easement several years ago. The easement would allow trail users to get from a parking lot to the Rail Trail at a smaller angle than the angle a path directly from the current Skybox property would offer to get to the trail.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said currently, the only parking lot along the trail is at Miller Road and it is maxed out. The Department of Public Works is creating a few parking spots at Powder Mill Road and Depot Street once a pump comes off line.
“This would be good for going north,” Stinehart said of a potential Point Grove Road lot.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Cesan said.
The board agreed to bring the idea back to the table for further discussion once more information is gathered.
