Concession Stand, Restroom Eyed for Memorial Field

The Township of Cranford voted in favor of applying for the Kids’ Recreation Trust Fund Grant, 4-1, on Sept. 10 in order to improve athletic fields.

The grant could be used for playground equipment at Roosevelt Field, grading at Sherman Field and a restroom, field house and concession stand at Memorial Field, Mayor Tom Hannen explained.

Commissioner Andis Kalnis voted against the grant, because he the grant is a matching grant and the project at Memorial Field is Board of Education property and houses Board of Education events, such as the high school athletic games. However, he stated he fully supported the projects and would move forward if the Board of Education was financially matching the grants.

According to commissioner Lisa Adubato, the two smaller grants would be for $50,000 and the Memorial Field grant would be for $300,000.

Hannen explained that applying for these grants does not guarantee Cranford will receive them.

“It puts us in line to secure some funding and if it takes multiple years to do that, it will take multiple years,” he added.

Commissioner Kevin Campbell said even if the Township did move forward with the projects, at least they were in the running to receive the grants.

Kalnis added that the Township has received criticism in the past for not using grant funds, so he felt they needed to be sure they wanted to complete these projects before applying for the grant.