Derby schools want permission to do a “feasibility study” to determine how to improve the athletic fields around the high school and middle school campuses.
School officials want to install an artificial turf football field along with a new, eight-lane running track. Right now there’s a grass field with a gravel track around it. The track can’t be used for track meets.
A price tag was not discussed, but at a Derby Aldermen subcommittee meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Matthew Conway said the improvements could be funded through state bonding. He said he has been talking about the issue with state Rep. Theresa Conroy to get the issue in front of the state bond (borrowing) commission later this year.
Conroy represents Derby and Seymour in Hartford.
Last July the commission authorized the state to borrow $1.8 million to install artificial turf and new bleachers at Seymour High School.
But before any of that happens, a feasibility study has to be done to figure out how to proceed. The study could cost $7,500, and the issue could be on the agenda of the city’s tax board Monday.
The city owns the athletic fields used by the schools in Derby.
The project, if it happens, could require a major reconfiguration of the various baseball and softball fields behind Derby Middle School, between Derby Neck Library and Chatfield Street.
A softball field could be moved up next to the Little League field at the top of Nutmeg Avenue, next to Derby High School.
Or a new field could be built behind the Bradley School in east Derby.
Those scenarios, however, are a bit of guesswork at this point. The feasibility study will flesh out which scenario makes sense.
The school district also wants to replace the field house next to the football field. It’s ancient and isn’t ADA-compliant by a long shot.
Conway said he plans to talk to everyone with a stake in the athletic fields, which ranges from Derby Little League to Pop Warner to the Board of Aldermen.
“This is very preliminary — there are many things we need to think about and consider,” he said.
Alderman Carmen DiCenso, a former Derby High School football coach, liked what he heard.
“It’s long overdue,” he said.
