Pickleball courts, irrigation upgrades and a $1M turf ask top parks capital requests in New Canaan
February 04, 2026 | New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut
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New Canaan parks and recreation staff presented a slate of capital requests to the Board of Finance Parks & Recreation Subcommittee that included playground repairs, equipment replacements and three high‑profile projects: irrigation upgrades, a pickleball court expansion at Waveny and a $1 million turf proposal for girls softball fields.
Staff said the parks infrastructure package separates field improvements ($55,000 for routine work) from larger projects. The presentation requested $300,000 to replace 25‑plus‑year sprinklers and piping at the high school and an additional $100,000 to improve or replace the well serving Saks School; the well would allow irrigation without pulling from town water during seasonal restrictions.
On courts, staff said Keith Simpson Associates is completing designs for two sets (four courts) of pickleball courts at Waveny with lights and that $200,000 was previously approved for the project’s design phase. Presenters cautioned that construction costs remain uncertain and that estimates could exceed last year’s allocation; the subcommittee asked for firm cost estimates before the Board of Finance meeting so the committee can assess whether to proceed this fiscal year.
The meeting also covered a $1,000,000 turf request for two girls softball fields that the Girls Softball Association proposed; staff said the Board of Selectmen asked for more study and possible fundraising before advancing the project.
Members debated possible tradeoffs and public reaction. One member warned that lighting at Mead Park courts has generated neighbor complaints and may not be appropriate there, and presenters said Waveny is a less intrusive location for lit courts. Staff described ways to make capital items revenue‑neutral, including membership fees and guest fees for lit courts and the prospect of directing some self‑sustaining wedding income to venue upgrades.
Smaller capital and equipment items were reviewed: replacement vehicles, a utility vehicle ($52,000), a ride‑on mower ($14,000), an artificial‑field groomer and specialized attachments; presenters identified some lower‑priority items (salt spreader body, older light towers) that could be deferred one year without immediate program impact.
The subcommittee asked the department to return with precise construction estimates, a prioritized list of what can be deferred without harming programming, and clearer fundraising or funding‑source plans for the larger items so the Board of Finance can weigh school, safety and recreation needs together.
Staff said the parks infrastructure package separates field improvements ($55,000 for routine work) from larger projects. The presentation requested $300,000 to replace 25‑plus‑year sprinklers and piping at the high school and an additional $100,000 to improve or replace the well serving Saks School; the well would allow irrigation without pulling from town water during seasonal restrictions.
On courts, staff said Keith Simpson Associates is completing designs for two sets (four courts) of pickleball courts at Waveny with lights and that $200,000 was previously approved for the project’s design phase. Presenters cautioned that construction costs remain uncertain and that estimates could exceed last year’s allocation; the subcommittee asked for firm cost estimates before the Board of Finance meeting so the committee can assess whether to proceed this fiscal year.
The meeting also covered a $1,000,000 turf request for two girls softball fields that the Girls Softball Association proposed; staff said the Board of Selectmen asked for more study and possible fundraising before advancing the project.
Members debated possible tradeoffs and public reaction. One member warned that lighting at Mead Park courts has generated neighbor complaints and may not be appropriate there, and presenters said Waveny is a less intrusive location for lit courts. Staff described ways to make capital items revenue‑neutral, including membership fees and guest fees for lit courts and the prospect of directing some self‑sustaining wedding income to venue upgrades.
Smaller capital and equipment items were reviewed: replacement vehicles, a utility vehicle ($52,000), a ride‑on mower ($14,000), an artificial‑field groomer and specialized attachments; presenters identified some lower‑priority items (salt spreader body, older light towers) that could be deferred one year without immediate program impact.
The subcommittee asked the department to return with precise construction estimates, a prioritized list of what can be deferred without harming programming, and clearer fundraising or funding‑source plans for the larger items so the Board of Finance can weigh school, safety and recreation needs together.
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