Joel Barlow Stadium Renovations on the Horizon

REDDING, Conn. – Joel Barlow High School football fans can hope for a renovated stadium with new bleachers, lighting and possibly a turf surface.

The Region 9 Board of Education’s has added $40,000 to the $10,000 that had already been approved for engineering studies that will determine the costs of the project. Once the estimates are done, a town voters will make the final decision. 

Christopher Hocker, board treasurer and chairman of the Facilities and Fields Committee, said the $40,000 that was approved unanimously by the board Tuesday night would be spent in increments once a consultant was selected. “We want to narrow down the range of improvements,” he said.

A member of the public asked whether the improvements may include a turf field, after bleacher repairs and lighting were initially announced. Hocker said yes, because at this point all possible improvements can be considered until the cost estimates are provided.

Hocker said the field’s old bleachers need to be replaced because they are worn and don’t meet Americans With Disabilities Act guidelines. The stadium lighting needs to be updated, and the fencing is deteriorating.

“We can also consider improving the surface of the field and install artificial turf,” he said.

The board’s next step is to select a consultant to conduct the engineering study.

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