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12/15/2010 11:00 PMThe Clinton Town Beach boasts a number of benefits, but significant drawbacks include a lack of public bathrooms and a concession stand that dates back more than 30 years. However, construction is expected to begin this spring on a new block building that will provide food concessions, bathrooms, outdoor showers, and a first-aid/lifeguard station. The building is expected to cost $300,000.
According to First Selectman William Fritz, a spending package is being assembled that will include $120,000 for the beach building in addition to money for infrastructure, roads, drainage, work on Town Hall, a turf soccer/lacrosse field, restoration of the Academy Building, a salt shed, and more. The bond package will be put to vote at the end of February 2011.
In addition to these funds, the town has approved $68,000 for the beach building on top of a $100,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant and a prospective private donation of $25,000.
Upon approval of the bond package, construction of the combination bathhouse and concession stand should begin in March.
"We're hoping if all goes well and if this gets approved at the end of February that they'll start working sometime in March," Fritz commented.
The town beach has lacked public bathrooms since the old building was torn down a year ago.
"We had an old bathhouse down there that we ended up tearing down because it wasn't code-compliant and the septic failed," said Fritz.
Likewise, Robert Potter, director of the Clinton Park & Recreation Department that regulates and staffs the town beach, recommended that the current concession stand be condemned. Plans are in the works to tear down the building.
Although no changes to the design of the new beach facility have occurred recently, geotesting last spring revealed that the structure would require more support than initially thought due to unstable ground. The change in the footing design resulted in an increase from the project's initial projected cost of $168,650.
"There have been some issues with this building," said Potter. "The current design plan correlates with the last specs that went out. Right now we're looking to bond this project and move forward with it."
Potter called the planned building maintenance-friendly, multi-use, and very functional.
"It will be much upgraded from what we had down here," he said. "This is a much nicer facility that will serve the public very well."
Designed by architect William Aniskovich of the WBA Group, Inc., of Branford, the new building is expected to enhance the town beach at the end of Waterside Lane.
"We're a shoreline community," Potter said. "The beach is a tremendous asset; it's used by many people and we need to improve and upgrade it when we can. This is a good opportunity to do so."