It could be a major turning point in the history of the borough, so the Haddonfield Board of Education wants a hand in where Haddonfield is headed.
The BOE will present an estimated $29 million site concept for the Bancroft property at a public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at the municipal hall. Among the features for the property would be the construction of three new athletic fields — one of them an artificial turf field — and a multi-purpose facility that could be connected to the high school and serve as a new library for the borough.
Board of Education President Steve Weinstein said it’s time for the town to come together and be united for a plan at the Bancroft campus.
“We need to create momentum and come together for something, rather than dividing ourselves,” Weinstein said.
One of the most exciting aspects of the proposal, Weinstein said, is the multi-use facility that would house a new borough library. The building would be connected to the high school and serve as a joint school and municipal library, Weinstein said. The facility would also serve as a technology center, which would allow the district to expand its partnership with Drexel University and possibly bring in Rowan University for a similar partnership. It would be located on the western side of the property, right next to the high school.
Haddonfield Public Library board members have shown interest in such a project, he said, but have not yet fully signed off on the deal yet.
The proposal would include both passive and active open space, with the construction of a new artificial turf field, a baseball field, softball field, and two athletic practice fields. It would also include the conversion of the HMHS football field to a turf field as well.
The proposal includes 438 parking spaces. It would decrease the parking impact on nearby Kings Highway when there are games or events at the high school, Weinstein said, an added bonus.
A one-mile walking trail would be constructed at the north side of the site.
Both Lullworth Hall, the Carriage House, and the existing green house would be preserved on the site. The district said the borough could possibly lease out these structures or sell them at their discretion.
So how would the BOE and Haddonfield taxpayers fund such a project? The $29 million estimated cost — which could change by Wednesday, Weinstein said — doesn’t include the borough’s available Green Acres or open space funds. There is also funding available through the county for open space projects such as this, Weinstein said.
Also, the district would look into selling the Radnor Field athletic complex space for funding. Weinstein said the district does not an assessment for the property.
Several citizens have also expressed interest in donating “substantial gifts” to the district to pay for such aspects as the artificial turf field or other site plans, according to Weinstein.
As of now there are no plans to sell Scout Field, home of the boys varsity soccer team.
The preliminary design work was completed pro-bono by Garrison Architects. The district has spent no tax dollars in designing this plan, Weinstein said.
It’s important to work now with an eye to the future, Superintendent Rich Perry said. Once the property is sold or developed, it will be lost forever.
Check back with The Haddonfield Sun after Wednesday for a detailed article of the public meeting.
