July 30, 2014
Rep. Toni Walker, House chair of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, welcomed the State Bond Commission’s approval of additional funding for the complete renovation of Bowen Field in New Haven.
“I am thrilled we are able to make sure the renovations at Bowen Field move forward,” Rep. Walker said. “Our young athletes will have a modern turf field on which to hone their game.”
The project to replace the field, track and bleachers hit an unexpected snag when after low levels of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) were found in the caulk joints of the bleachers and in the paint on the exterior of the locker room. At its recent meeting, the Bond Commission approved $4.8 million for the project.
“The funding is critical to moving the project forward. This will be a brand new field that embraces the legacy of all the terrific New Haven athletes who played on Bowen Field over the years.”
Exposure to PCB's has been shown to cause cancer and production of it was banned by U.S. Congress in 1979.
The renovations to Bowen Field are expected to be completed in the summer of 2015.