Red Bank is going after grant money to fund more upgrades at Count Basie Field. Above, a rendering for a baseball and field hockey/soccer field. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Now that work is done at Count Basie’s football field, Red Bank is looking for more money for more turf.
The borough is submitting an Open Space grant application to Monmouth County, looking for up to $250,000, to lay down turf for a baseball and “multi-use” field.
“It will really give us a lot more flexibility,” borough engineer Christine Ballard said.
A view of the turf football field. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
The turf would be laid at the existing baseball field, and the outfield space would be used for sports like soccer and field hockey, Ballard said.
If Red Bank is approved for funding, work would likely get started next spring. But there would also need to be additional dollars poured into the project.
Ballard said she isn’t sure if borough funds would cover the rest of the cost, a total she also isn’t sure of yet, but ideally a combination effort would finance the upgrade, as was done at the football field. That project cost $878,000, with Red Bank Catholic, two grants and borough money covering the cost.
“We’re hoping for a similar situation,” she said.
In addition to the turf work, Ballard said the borough intends to install a walking/running path looping around the park.
