Federal money is starting to arrive for storm-related damage, with a recent $167,418 payment approved for the rebuilding of the tennis courts at Community Park.
The payment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be used toward rebuilding the three tennis courts with post-tension concrete. The town will also seek grant money from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and utilize an already approved bond package for additional project costs.
At Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the board approved a bid received by Oxford-based R.S. Site and Sports that comes with a base cost of $325,800 for the three tennis courts.
Although the project is small in the scope of damage that the town endured last August, the tennis courts will return in better condition than the previous asphalt playing surface.
“We’re going to make these right – post-tension,” said First Selectman Jeff Manville on Thursday night. “This is actually a pretty good price.”
Last August, the South Branch Bullet Hill Brook overflowed its bank, which runs adjacent to Community Park. As a result of the flooding, the court’s pavement and its fencing were severely damaged and partially washed away.
The site was also used to park emergency service vehicles during the initial cleanup of the flood and later became an eyesore for residents maneuvering through Community House Road and Route 67.
The FEMA payment represents 75 percent of the agency’s estimate of total eligible costs ($223,224.06).
According to USTA’s facility funding grants, a major reconstruction contribution could yield up to $20,000 per court.
Per FEMA’s guidelines, these non-emergency permanent work projects must be completed within 18 months of the date of the disaster declaration, which falls on March 20, 2026.
The town awaits word about federal funding for larger projects, including for the Southbury Public Library, which town officials have set a goal of opening in November of this year.
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