Groton Athletic Fields Task Force - 5/21/26

The Groton Athletic Fields Task Force met on May 21, 2026, to discuss potential use of a newly acquired approximately 4-acre property near the high school, referred to as the Franklin or apple orchard property, for athletic field development. The Board of Education has purchased this property and is considering its use to alleviate space and parking constraints at the high school athletic complex. The task force discussed the feasibility of building a softball or baseball field on the site, noting that the cost to build a softball field at the originally proposed location was estimated at $1.2 million. The group expressed interest in exploring the best use of the property, including improved parking and circulation, pending further study and Board of Education decisions. Additionally, the task force received an update on phase one of the athletic fields project, noting that a contract team has been selected and negotiations are ongoing, with the project expected to start under budget. The group agreed to schedule future meetings only if there are substantive items to discuss or vote on, with the next tentative meeting set for June 25, 2026. No formal votes were taken due to lack of quorum, but consensus was positive regarding the property use and project progress.