Southwick residents approved funding for Whalley Park during last night’s Special Town Meeting. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Whalley Park was accepted by the majority of 288 voters during the Special Town Meeting at Southwick Tolland Granville Regional High School last night.
The 70-acre park, which includes 35 acres of recreational fields and 30 acres of conservation land, was donated to the town by John and Kathy Whalley.
Voters also approved using $1.2 million in Community Preservation funds to complete remaining items at the park, such as paving and lighting. Also approved were articles to accept a $100,000 gift from the Whalley family for maintenance of the park, and an article to allow the Whalleys to construct a pavilion at the park.
Douglas Moglin of the Community Preservation Commission publicly thanked the Whalleys last night.
“I think our town owes a debt of gratitude to the Whalley family,” said Moglin. “They should be recognized for their work in this community that will be with us for a very long time.”
Resident Gary Hoover agreed.
“I want to thank the Whalleys,” he said before asking if the work remaining at the park would be put to public bid.
Selectman Chairman Arthur Pinell said it would.
Pinell gave a brief history of the project and said it began several years ago when the Whalleys approached the board with what he called “a tremendous opportunity and generous offer.”
During discussion of acceptance of the park, Southwick Recreation Center President Kirk Sanders told the audience that the center would be able to use the fields, something they desperately need.
“Our summer and soccer programs are expanding and we need the fields,” said Sanders.
Following the Whalley Park related articles, there was a round of applause and much of the audience left.
