Groundbreaking for Riverfront Park Expansion This Thursday

This Thursday will mark a momentous step in the second phase of the Riverfront Park expansion project as the town official breaks ground at the future site of the park’s planned multi-million dollar boathouse.

The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the site of the former Hallmark Tire Company, behind the baseball field near the Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles St.

The plan for the second phase of the expansion includes the construction of a two-story boathouse that will serve as home base for the Glastonbury Crew Club. The boathouse will be equipped with public restrooms, a second-story observation deck and a multi-purpose room for public use. In addition, it will house workout and storage areas for the club. A lighted basketball court, public skating rink, scenic walkways and boat ramps for motorized and non-motorized boats, including emergency vehicles, are all part of the plan.

Last week the town council voted to increase the project’s budget by more than $1 million to cover bidding overruns in order to start the project in a timely manner.  The total cost of the project is currently $13.3 million.

The project has a limited timespan for construction; construction is only allowed on the banks of the Connecticut River from July 1 through Dec. 30, as well as in March.

Town officials are hoping to finish the project by next summer.