Council puts rec plan into action in Jackson
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - Some new recreation improvements are on the way.

"In an effort to address some of the township's most pressing short- and long-term recreation needs, several sports organizations have made many sacrifices to undertake the most aggressive and much-needed recreation improvement program in Jackson's history," Mayor Mark Seda said at the March 13 meeting of the Township Council.

Seda thanked Councilman Scott Mar-tin, who helped put the plan into action.

"I would also like to thank several members of those groups who worked closely in meeting after meeting: Pop Warner, Mark Bruscella; Jackson Little League, Mike Mondello; Jackson soccer, Andy Weathers; and Holbrook Little League, Tony Delvecchio," Seda said. "Through their efforts and working together to make one decision to give up appropriations that were much needed to run their organizations to bring this (plan) to fruition tonight."

The plans announced by the mayor call for some changes at the Justice Complex, Jackson Drive. One grass field will be changed to synthetic turf, one soccer field will be converted to synthetic turf and two Little League baseball fields will be built. Improvements at these facilities will include sports lighting, scoreboards, bleachers and a concession stand with rest rooms.

At Holman Field, off Manhattan Street, the mayor proposed the conversion of a grass football field to synthetic turf.

"The proposed soccer complex on Jackson Mills Road, near the intersection of County Line Road, has been an important topic of discussion since 2004," Seda said. "I am happy to announce tonight that we will begin, at no cost to the taxpayers, ground work and infrastructure improvements within the next several months."

The mayor said the soccer complex project has been long overdue and is a significant step in the right direction to completing the long-term goals for the development of township recreation facilities. He said Jackson's recreation needs have been neglected for too long.

Council members gave their vote of approval to the first reading of a bond ordinance which if approved at the second reading and public hearing would authorize the construction of recreation fields, renovations, improvements and development of municipal park facilities with a total appropriation and estimated cost of $6 million.

The estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued would total $5.4 million for recreation and an average period of usefulness would be 15 years.

The balance of the funds, $600,000, will come from funds that the township previously set aside for the development of projects, according to assistant financial officer Sharon Pinkava.