A Bridgton nonprofit is another step closer to building new athletic fields that Recreation Director Phil Gutekunst feels are sorely needed.
“There are too many teams trying to use the same fields at the same time,” Gutekunst said, adding that within two to three years he would expect to cut programs if more fields don’t become available for the large kindergarten class.
These cuts might not be necessary if the Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group continues to move forward on what the group’s president, Steve Hatch, called the Bridgton community recreation center.
The nonprofit recently received permits from the Department of Environmental Protection to move forward on their plan to put in athletic fields and other recreational infrastructure on donated land off Route 302 near the drive-in theater.
Hatch said the plans for the center include two baseball/softball fields, one soccer field, one football field, two or three lighted tennis/basketball courts, a fenced-in playground, bocce courts, a walking and jogging path, a snack bar, a covered seating area and an ice skating pond.
“We’re all ecstatic,” organizer Corinne Davis said about finally getting the DEP permits. Davis, who is the recreation director in Sebago and works for Bridgton recreation, has been involved with the advancement group since 1999.
The group paid a $13,200 phosphorus fee as part of the DEP permitting process. If the group had waited two more weeks, organizer Corinne Davis said, the price would have jumped to $25,000. “It’s a major undertaking,” Davis said of dealing with the DEP regulations.
The Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group has been in existence since 1999, during which time they’ve worked on the recreation facility project as well as on the town’s skate park. Rex Rolfe donated the 20 acres for the recreation center, said Hatch.
To pay for the project, the group has already started raising money and has received two grants. Town residents have also approved transfers of money from the Moose Pond Trust Fund to help pay for the project. The most recent transfer of more than $48,000, part of a $225,000 commitment from the Moose Pond Trust Fund, helped pay for the phosphorus fee, which was required by the DEP before the group breaks ground.
Now that the group has DEP permits, the next step is to clear the land of trees and stumps, level it out and install infrastructure, Hatch said. More fundraising is also on the agenda.
Davis said the purpose of the project is to create a multi-generational and multi-seasonal facility. “Anything we can do to encourage family-oriented recreation is a plus,” Davis said.
The recreation facility would be open to residents of surrounding towns as well as Bridgton. Sports programs run through the Bridgton Recreation Department, such as youth baseball and softball, would have more space to play and practice and tournaments could bring in money.
Gutekunst said the youth baseball/softball program currently uses three child-sized fields, two at Stevens Brook Elementary School and one at Harmon field, which Gutekunst said are not enough for the approximately 15 teams.
He said the field shortage makes it difficult to make up rained-out games and accommodate all teams’ practices. Since two of the fields are school fields, they are not always available to the town. Gutekunst also said the fields are tightly scheduled.
“There’s no time for someone to just go play,” Gutekunst said, adding that there also isn’t enough space to hold tournaments.
“We need them and we need them badly and we need them soon,” Gutekunst said of more athletic fields. “We just don’t have very many facilities.”
“I’ve been one of the strongest supporters of the ball field,” said Gutekunst, who founded the recreational advancement group around 10 years ago, but is no longer involved in organizing. “It’s about time this thing came to fruition.”
Hatch, who started working with the group in 2006, was a long-time basketball and baseball coach and founded the boys and girls basketball leagues. “I think it’s one of the best things to happen to Bridgton,” Hatch said. “We’re looking at the benefits, not the costs.” Hatch said he foresees the project taking two years.
Davis and Hatch said the group is looking for more volunteers to serve on the board of directors and a variety of committees. They are also looking for donations and plan to kick off their fundraising campaign soon. Those interested in being involved can call 800-476-9860 or e-mail stevehatch1@verizon.net or corinnecdavis@yahoo.com.
Davis said the group needs all the help it can get. “We know this is going to be a big undertaking,” Davis said.
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