By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough- A bond for the city’s first synthetic turf athletic field was approved by the City Council at its April 6 meeting, moving the project forward for immediate construction at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School. Councilors accepted the Finance Committee’s recommendation to approve the $3.855,059 request in February and advertised it as required.
The bond will also finance a new track at the new athletic complex, a building for concession stands, restrooms, maintenance and storage which will allow the facility to serve as a competition venue and help ease the demand on the city’s other natural grass fields, according to a report submitted to the council. Plans also include a recreation path connecting the Bolton Street Senior Housing to Stevens Street through the Middle School athletic fields and provide access and additional means for passive recreation.
City officials will consider both a crumb rubber composite and an organic composite for the new turf field, at the recommendation of the council. Financing for the project will be through the local option meals tax that Mayor Arthur Vigeant has designated for the city’s parks and recreation facilities. Other locations considered for the project were Ghiloni Park’s athletic fields and the Marlborough High School baseball and track facility.