WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Commission voted to send a funding recommendation to the City Council to release additional funding to upgrade facilities at the newly constructed Boardman Field.
Park and Recreation supervisor James Blascak requested the CPC to authorize use of $14,497 to purchase and install equipment not installed under the initial construction of the field.
The CPC voted last year, and the City Council appropriated, $426,000 for the athletic field, located next to Westfield High School, construction. Principal Planner Jay Vinskey said that the facility was actually constructed for $329,000.
“There is $96,000 sitting in that construction account,” Vinskey said. “The request is to use some of those remaining funds for enhancements to the same project.”
Blascak said that he is seeking to purchase four benches for players and coaches; 2,000 feet of protective netting; four lacrosse goals and nets; two 4-inch Classic Alumagoals and two sets of transport wheels to move those goals; and two signs identifying the facility as Boardman Athletic Field.
“Currently there is no place for the athletes to sit,” Blascak said. “Last fall they had to sit on the ground.”
The Westfield Gas & Electric Department installed several utility poles along the Montgomery Road end of the field to support the protective netting intended to stop balls from going into the road, but the black HIPP netting was not purchased during the initial field construction.
Blascak said the Alumagoals can be configured for several different field sports and will be positioned in different areas of the field with the transport wheels.
The Boardman Athletic Field will be erected near Montgomery Road on the west side of the field and near the Westfield High School parking lot on the southeast portion of the field.
Blascak said the total cost of the improvements is $14,497. Boardman Field is used by Westfield High School and St. Mary’s High School girls teams.
CPC Commissioner Dan Kelly made the motion to approve the $14,497 funding request, which also has to be appropriated by the City Council, with the condition that the remaining $80,000 be returned to the Community Preservation Act account. The motion was approved by a 4-0 vote.
