Simsbury Farms Building and Golf Course Work Move to Public Hearing

Do you think the main building at needs some updating? How about the ? In March, you can have your say when the board of finance will hold a public hearing on capital improvement plan projects for 2011-2012.

The proposed $2.8-million project for the main building includes renovations and the addition of 1,300 square feet. That cost also incorporates replacing the pool decking. Ultimately, for the plan to move forward the voters would have to approve it at a referendum.

The main building at Simsbury Farms is 40 years old. It's not code compliant for those with disabilities and it is not energy efficient. It was built as a seasonal facility and has no insulation. The roof is original and is leaking in spots and there are some safety concerns.

Gerry Toner, director of the culture, parks and recreation department, said annual fuel costs for the building would be cut in half — from $14,000 to $7,000 — with the proper heating and insulation.

Some of the other improvements include creating team rooms, creating a designated first aid area, creating a new program room, improving the building's traffic flow and creating access to the pool from the parking lot.

Improvements to the facility have been considered since 1998, when it was first identified as an aging building.

The proposed $225,000 in golf course improvements include mostly large maintenance concerns, such as drainage issues and work to the sand bunkers. Rounds of golf played at the facility have dropped off and these improvements are a way to bring people back, said Toner.

"I think it makes us a lot more attractive," he said, adding that in the past decade several new golf courses have opened in the area.

Two other projects that were part of the capital improvement plan for 2011-2012 were taken off by the board of finance. The idea is that the two projects, $120,000 for Memorial Pool improvements and $125,000 for parking lot improvements by Memorial Park/, can come out the the reserves budget.