Fieldhouse in design phase as officials cite imporance of youth athletics
LINWOOD — The city is moving forward with plans for a new fieldhouse at All Wars Memorial Park to replace the aging multipurpose structure in the center.
City Council awarded a $23,750 noncompetitive professional services contract March 23 to William McClees Architecture of Somers Point to design the building. McClees also designed the city’s baseball/football building.
City Councilman Eric Ford, who oversees planning, engineering and development, said the project would involve demolition of the existing one-story building and construction of a two-story building. Ford said the location amid the sports fields and playgrounds limits the size of new construction.
“We found a building that works and we’re excited about it,” Ford said.
The father of three athletes knows the complex well, having spent many an hour there over more than a decade.
“It’s time to reinvest in that park,” Ford said.
The city’s baseball and football programs are both thriving right now — the Linwood Panthers varsity team won the Jersey Shore Youth Football League championship last season — with numbers growing following replacement of the baseball/football building, which he said was in dire need of repair.
“That building houses soccer, lacrosse, football — all of those programs are growing,” Ford said of the multipurpose building, adding that families have taken more interest in outdoor activities and small-town experiences since the COVID-19 pandemic began in spring 2020.
During the City Council meeting, Ford noted that “Recreation” is part of the city’s seal and something he and the other council members take pride in providing for taxpayers.
“We hold that in high regard,” he said. “We believe that good recreation, a good school system and a safe environment increase the value of the community.”
Ford said it is difficult to put a number on the construction costs, noting the industry is in flux with supply chain issues and rising gasoline prices.
“Once we get plans together, we will have a better idea of what it’s going to cost us,” he said, calling it an investment that should last 20 years.
“It’s something that if my kids decide to come back and live in Linwood, they will coach their kids from,” Ford said.
According to a letter to the city from McClees, the project will be designed to provide storage space, restrooms and concession facilities to support the soccer and football programs.
McClees will provide schematic design documents — including floor plans, preliminary ceiling plans, exterior elevations and design study sketches — as well as construction documents.
The design will incorporate environmentally sensitive aspects where practical financially.
Other services will include advice on bidding the construction work.
Ford said the second floor would have storage and meeting space, as well as an area for announcing football games.
He said the goal is to have the building completed by winter, noting there will be disruptions.
“It’s never really a good time to do it,” he said.
“This is long-overdue and will be great for the city,” Councilman Matthew Levinson said during the caucus meeting.
Resident Kathleen Spaeth asked about public input into the building’s design, noting the documents indicate there is no need for the project to go before the Planning Board for approval.
Ford said approving the contract is the first step in the process and that a drawing of the proposed building would be displayed in City Hall for all to see and comment upon.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff