Derby is in line to receive just under $3 million from the state for new athletic fields.
The money, if approved by the State Bond Commission Sept. 30, will be used for a new, 8‑lane rubberized track and artificial football/soccer field at the Leo F. Ryan Athletic Complex on Chatfield Street. A new field house will be constructed there as well.
In addition, Derby will build a new baseball field. The exact location has not been determined, though Witek Park in east Derby has been eyed previously, along with the Bradley School.
Derby’s Democratic state delegation — Theresa Conroy (D‑Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby), state Representative Linda Gentile (D‑Ansonia, Derby) and state Senator Joe Crisco, Jr. (D‑Woodbridge) — announced the news in a press release shortly before 1 p.m. Friday.
“This is great news for all the teams that will utilize this facility. I am especially delighted for the high school and middle school track programs who have been without a usable home track for meets for more than a decade,” Rep. Conroy said.
“Replacement of the high school’s athletic field and track is critical to the health and well-being of our young people,” Rep. Gentile said. “Athletics plays a critical role in their overall development, especially during their secondary school years. I am very pleased that the state is approving these funds for the Derby High School community.”
Derby is heavily developed, and the current athletic fields for youth and high school sports are in constant use. Space is at a premium.
Derby Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway said public meetings will be held to determine where the new baseball field will be located.
“My promise to the community was that before we moved forward we would conduct public hearings so everyone has a voice in the project, specifically the discussion about locating the fields,” Conway said. “There are many different stakeholders and different leagues involved.”
An artificial turf field at the Ryan Athletic Complex will give leagues, players and teams more options.
Conway pointed out the football field on Chatfield Street is in rough shape even though the high school’s varsity football team has yet to play a home game this season. That’s because younger football leagues use it, too.
An artificial football/soccer field will hold up better and allow for increased use, Conway said.
In addition, Derby’s running programs are very much on the rise — despite the fact the high school team doesn’t have a track.
“It’s very exciting for that program,” Conway said.
The precise amount on tap for Derby from the state — $2,990,792. That’s expected to cover all costs.
Derby school and city officials have been talking about overhauling the athletic fields since March 2015 and had been hoping for state money since the start.
But there was no guarantee the matter would make it to the State Bond Commission’s agenda. Funding for the project seemed dead in the water after several commission meetings came and went.
“I’ve remained 100 percent optimistic that this would happen,” Conway said, thanking Derby’s state delegation for their efforts.
Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto said she was happy to hear the news.
“It’s a great thing for the community. Athletics is something that brings Derby together as a community. It’s important for the city,” Dugatto said.
Crisco said the athletic fields in Derby just aren’t up to snuff.
“The kids in Derby deserve this. They’ve gone on long enough without sufficient athletic facilities, and I want to see them succeed and be happy. I think this state bonding will help accomplish that,” he said in a prepared statement.
