On Monday, December 16th, South Windsor student athletes, coaches and parents gathered together at Town Hall to express their opinions on the project regarding a new lit turf field and tennis court facilities.
This meeting was the next step in approving the plan. Supporters attended the meeting to apply pressure to the council, in hopes of obtaining an opportunity to vote on the proposed referendum in March of 2025. If the plan is approved, improved facilities will be built.
As one of the few schools in Connecticut without upgraded sports facilities, the residents of South Windsor have become increasingly frustrated. This issue has been a prominent focus throughout the past few years, and has gotten a large amount of attention in the past few weeks.
Many opportunities have arisen for South Windsor residents to voice their concerns on this matter, with the most recent Town Council meeting being one of the most eventful.
The meeting was publicized weeks in advance to South Windsor High School student athletes, coaches and parents, in order to draw a larger crowd to the event. Students arrived early, wearing their athletic spirit, while parents filled the seats of the Town Hall, eagerly awaiting the public comment section of the evening.
Those in attendance patiently waited through the scheduled agenda, in hopes of sharing their concerns with the council.
Opening the floor was SWHS’s Head Football Coach, David Hodge, who passionately addressed the council. Numerous residents followed Hodge’s lead, making a strong impression on the council.
South Windsor High School is known for its high quality education and exceptional athletic program, which has fostered various athlete success stories.
Resident, Gary Robert Burnham Jr, is an example to the impact SWHS has on athletic careers. Burnham is a hall of fame member and one of Connecticut’s most prolific baseball players of all-time, but started out as a Bobcat, where his love for baseball grew and his athletic abilities excelled.
Despite South Windsor’s past success, it was expressed that SWHS’s stelar athletics are dimmed by the lack of facilities provided to the athletes.
Samantha Petgrave, South Windsor resident and committed member to the South Windsor athletics department, gave a moving speech with a personal look into the impact our current athletic resources have on student athletes.
During her speech, Petgrave expressed a story about one of the South Windsor High school JV team having to cut a home game short, due to the fact that they were playing in the dark, and the referee had declared it was unsafe to continue the game.
In an interview with The Prowl Petgrave talked about the numerous benefits that would come with getting a lighted turf field, including how it would open up so many opportunities not only for the athletes but for students with diverse interests, such as marching band.
“The lighted turf field, in particular, addresses critical safety concerns, provides a venue for appropriate high school athletic competition, and fosters community engagement and support,” Petgrave explained
Following Petgrave the SWHS boys and girls tennis team captains spoke on behalf of their current tennis courts, or lack thereof. Both teams expressed the frustration of lacking high quality courts, and the safety issues they create.
Public comment continued throughout the evening, leading Council member Steven King Jr to propose an extended public comment section. Unfortunately, with a vote of 5 opposed and 3 in support the Town Council overturned this proposal, cutting public comment short and sending residents home for the night.
Although frustration still hangs in the air, the South Windsor community remains hopeful that their council will hear their concerns, and will continue to persist against the resistance they are encountering.
“I feel strongly that our community spirit will overcome any resistance that it faces if we continue to persist. The benefits of a lighted turf field simply increase the overall experience and community bonding for the town residents and students that can enjoy the experience of lighted athletic events at night,” Burnham told The Prowl.
