Work to get under way on $1.5M rec project New athletic fields, parking lots coming to Sayreville complex BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Sayreville officials have kicked off the second phase of a $1.5 million-plus construction project at the borough's Recreation Complex. The Bordentown Avenue athletic fields, located near Jernee Mill Road, is currently the site of four lighted soccer fields and one soccer field without lights. They are used by close to 900 children from Sayreville and South Amboy through programs run by the Sayreville Soccer Association. Upcoming work includes the construction of a softball field with fencing, a utility and soccer practice field behind the existing refreshment stand, new parking lots, an access road extension and lighting for the new softball field and parking lots. The project, which will cost $1,550,000, is expected to be complete by fall of 2008. Borough officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new fields last week. The utility field will be available for all purposes, including football, cricket and soccer, said Borough Council President Thomas Pollando. The fields will provide additional opportunities for youth softball and baseball programs to schedule games. Current enrollment in programs through the Sayreville Little League and the Sayreville Athletic Association (SAA) stands at almost 1,000 children annually, according to borough officials. Adult softball leagues will primarily use the proposed softball field. There are currently 44 adult teams participating in programs throughout the year. Pollando said that the borough's softball league for girls was merged with two other youth athletic leagues, to form the SAA, and female softball players use the softball fields at another borough park in Morgan. "By merging the three organizations together, we saved the town money," Pollando said. "By merging three organizations into one, there is only one organization to support. You didn't have to maintain three organization complexes." Pollando, who is now the president of the SAA, said he worked with CME Associates and former Mayor John McCormack to begin the process of building the complex, which was constructed roughly 18 years ago. "At that time, they didn't need the softball fields," Pollando said. "Now there are more men's and girls' softball teams." Pollando thanked state Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski and county Freeholder Director David Crabiel for helping secure $495,000 in funds for the project. He added that the municipality is bonding for the remaining $1,055,000 of the cost. Additional infrastructure improvements will allow for future recreational facility development at the park, and there may eventually be another phase of improvements. "The next phase would probably be more softball fields," Pollando said, noting that the original plans indicated that there was room for four softball fields on the site.