At a work session which preceded tonight's Bridgeport City Council meeting, Director of Community Development Andrea Kerr reported that for the first quarter of 2018, construction projects within the city are valued at $17.5 million, up $10.2 million from the same months in 2017.

 

Proof that the city is growing carried over into the public meeting; several items of business pertaining to new development. Perhaps generating the most excitement was a presentation by Omni Associates pertaining to design of the city’s proposed new indoor sports complex.               

 

Council has been working with Omni Associates to define a list of components for the facility and a cost was attached to each component. Council then prioritized the components, factoring those costs into a budget for the project.

 

Senior Project Architect Richard Forren shared those components with those who gathered in Council chambers this evening. Included is a field house with basketball courts and an aquatics component with event seating and indoor turf component.

 

“We’re also allowing opportunity to add at some point a leisure component and at some point in the future to add an outdoor component, as well,” Forren said.

 

Also to be included are a multi-lane walking/running track and a 200-by-200 indoor turf area to be divided into four fields, to be used for soccer, indoor baseball training, etc.

 

A common area component – containing administration, fitness, concessions, security, etc. - will be connected to the others.

 

Jim Christie, senior project manger for CEC Consultants, provided a summary of plans for outdoor amenities, including a flat area for ball fields, an amphitheater area and a walking trail connecting the new complex to the existing recreation complex.

 

“This will be a one-of-a-kind in this area –  to have that much of an ADA complex, connecting all fields, including the existing recreation complex with a pedestrian bridge to the other outdoor sports fields,” Christie said.

 

The Charles Pointe Connector Trail will eventually connect to Compton Park and other city locations.

 

“We’ll be connecting all facilities with the major hub – the recreation complex – in the center,” Christie said.

 

Forren said the plan is to put out a bid package in early April with bids to be returned in May and rough grading work to start sometime in June. The next contract will be awarded in early 2019 for the building and completion of the facility with a goal to open in the summer of 2020.

 

Mayor Andy Lang said the city purchased and now controls 125 acres in the area of Charles Pointe where the current recreation complex is located and new indoor sports complex will be constructed. A master plan of projected additions to the complex will be developed.

 

“It can be tweaked by future Councils, but we wanted to build a master plan to have direction in the future,” he said. “We’re really proud of what’s going on.”

 

Forren said the complex will not only be unlike anything in the state, but also in the region.

 

“We’re proud of Council for making it a reality,” he said.

 

The one percent sales tax implemented in July of 2016 to fund the new complex has been a successful program.

 

“About $3.8 million a year is the estimate,” Lang said. “That and revenues coming in from operations (of the complex) will be used to pay the bond and operate the facility.”

 

Look for more coverage of tonight’s City Council meeting Tuesday on Connect-Bridgeport.