Government

Fifth Platform Tennis Court at Waveny Possible in 2015

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Though a request for town funding for a fifth platform tennis court at Waveny didn’t survive this budget season, officials say that with some leg work on private fundraising to offset the approximately $70,000 cost, the project could get underway next summer. At least some of the money for that project—say, $30,000—would need to be raised privately (there are established men’s and women’s paddle leagues who use the courts), according to Recreation Director Steve Benko. “There’s a need for the extra court, especially in the evening, guys want to play and they can’t get the extra court so they don’t try, that fifth court would give us some flexibility,” Benko told NewCanaanite.com. Between individual and family permit-holders, there are about 300 players in New Canaan for this 2013-14 season, Benko said. Permit-holders must be residents, though they can bring guests.

Government

New Canaan Eyes State Funds for Mead, Kiwanis Playground Upgrades

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New Canaan will put in for capital project funds from the state to replace what parks officials call aging playground equipment and Mead and Kiwanis Parks. With funds that come through the State Bond Commission, the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (or “STEAP”) serves Connecticut towns ineligible for Urban Action bonds, for purposes that include “quality of life projects,” the state website says. The Board of Selectmen at its regular meeting Tuesday voted unanimously to support an application on behalf of the Recreation Department for $103,750 to replace the playground equipment. “We need to replace equipment at Kiwanis and … at Mead we have a see-saw and spring animals [that are aging],” Recreation Director Steve Benko said during the meeting, held at the New Canaan Police Department. The equipment is inspected every year—some of its dates to 1987, Benko said—and it’s reaching the end of its usable life.