Rep. O’Neill, Gov. Rell Announce $200,000 Grant for Renovations to Southbury’s Ballantine Park Pool House

A $200,000 grant to help fund renovations to the Ballantine Park Pool House in Southbury is expected to to be approved by the state Bond Commission at its regular monthly meeting Friday, September 25^th, Representative O’Neill and Governor M. Jodi Rell have announced. “The funding for the renovation of the Ballantine Park pool house is great news for Southbury families who swim at the pool during the summer months. The swimming pool is one of the most popular recreational facilities at the park. The renovations this grant will help pay for will make the pool house a more attractive and comfortable facility for park patrons for years to come,” Representative O’Neill said. “I’m glad I was able to help secure the funding for this project and I’d like to thank Governor Rell for supporting the town in its efforts to ensure one of our major recreational assets continues to serve the people of Southbury for years to come.”“From June through September, the pool at Ballantine Park is a place for Southbury residents of all ages to gather,” Governor Rell said.  “We want to make sure this facility stands the test of time and that people can continue to enjoy the pool for many years to come.  We are doing all we can to help Connecticut towns with their pressing construction needs, and we feel this investment is an investment in the Southbury community.”Located on Old Field Road, the park covers close to 25 acres and has softball fields, bocce, shuffle board courts, tennis courts, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court and a children’s playground. The park also has an outdoor swimming pool with a bath house.  There is also a lighted picnic pavilion with kitchen facilities, tables, outdoor grills and restrooms.

Governor Rell said state Representative O’Neill, state Representative David Labriola, and state Senator Rob Kane all played major roles in moving the project forward.

The funds are being made available through the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). STEAP provides financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the state’s less-populated towns.

The state-funded STEAP program provides funds to eligible towns for economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects. To be eligible, a town must have a population of less than 30,000 residents, not be designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community and not have an urban center. The state Office of Policy and Management administers this program and individual projects are managed by several state agencies including DECD.