$500,000 grant for North Haven’s Vanacore Field [Record Journal]

October 27, 2015

NORTH HAVEN— The town has received a $500,000 grant to renovate portions of Vanacore Field.

The STEAP grant, announced early this month, has been applauded by First Selectman Mike Freda, state Sen. Len Fasano and state Rep. Dave Yaccarino.

“This was a very important project, with a positive outcome, securing the grant that represented a total collaboration between the town, our sports programs and our state legislators,” Freda said.

“North Haven leaders as well as local high school and youth sports programs have been working together for years to successfully secure this funding to make much-needed improvements,” said Fasano. “I applaud the team effort and hard work that made this project possible.”

Yaccarino also had words of priase for the project.

“These funds will allow the town of North Haven to complete a much-needed renovation to upgrade Vanacore Field’s obsolete concession building and provide a safe place for sports teams, fans and residents to gather for games and programs,” Yaccarino said. “This will be a wonderful addition to our town and I’m looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”

The money will be used to demolish and replace the concession stand, build permanent ADA-compliant restrooms and dedicated locker rooms for home and visiting teams. No work on the field, located on Maple Avenue, is needed.

Lynn Sadosky, North Haven’s director of public works, who oversaw the application with Dave Mikos, president of North Haven Youth Football, said they had applied for the grant for three years before it was approved.
“Work will start next spring and it’s a big deal because football is so big in North Haven. Parents are excited,” she said.

The state legislature instituted the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) in 2001 as a way to offer financial relief to small communities.

It was signed into law by Gov. John Rowland.