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Date: 2/14/2023
LUDLOW – The Ludlow Community Center Randall Boys and Girls Club is currently working on projects that community members may soon be able to enjoy.
The Community Center is in the process of making enhancements to their baseball field along with building a new outdoor sports court that will include two pickleball courts, a basketball court, shuffleboard and four-square.
The baseball field enhancements will include new dugouts, laying down new clay on the infield, new bleachers and a concession stand with bathrooms.
“This is an extraordinary project for us. We put a lot of thought and care into selecting what to use the funds for,” President and CEO Mechilia Salazar said.
According to Salazar, the club received a gift from two sisters who are lifelong Ludlow residents and passionate about baseball. They will use their funds for the baseball field enhancements and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the sports court.
“With so many different contributions and hands need to make this vision come alive, it is a project of love. There is so much love and care for making our community stronger for children and families,” Salazar said.
The mission of The Ludlow Community Center Randall Boys and Girls Club is “To inspire and enable youth and adults to build better communities by providing life-enhancing experiences and programs through which they will realize their full potential as responsible and caring citizens.”
Salazar added, “Creating this mini hub of outdoor activity and experiences for children and family in our community by having outdoor bathrooms and a concession stand will enhance the experience overall.”
Pickleball’s popularity has been growing nationally over the past year and Salazar added, “We have been floored at the fact of how popular it is and trying to keep up with this phenomenon. We have an incredible cohort of community members who have been utilizing our gymnasium for indoor pickleball.”
Salazar added, “We are excited to add these outdoor pickleball courts because we feel like we have not been able to offer as much pickleball time.”
Once the weather cooperates, the plan is for the contractors to break ground and start the construction of the sports court with the hope that it can be ready in time for this spring.
“We are hoping to break ground once we get several days in a row that are warmer so the ground is thawed and soft enough.
When it comes to construction, there are a lot of things that cannot be controlled like the weather, staffing issues or getting all the material but Salazar said that the process will be worth the wait.
“This project we feel will reach more of our community members and provide the greatest impact. There are a lot of pickleball fans in this community and decided to move forward with basketball and pickleball outside. These projects are enhancements that the community at large can enjoy for years to come,” Salazar said.
Salazar met with the Planning Board on Jan. 26 to present the site sketch for the baseball field enhancements.
The Planning Board approved the site sketch, waived having a public hearing and charging a fee.
Planning Board member Raymond Phoenix said, “We have a full site plan on file and the changes are minimal for a public hearing.”
Salazar added the next step for baseball field and concession stand project is to gather quotes from experts and look for professionals to install the plumbing, electric and concrete.
“I am excited for the day to make the unveiling and have it available for the children and families in our community because it is going to be so great.”
The years of COVID-19 affected how a lot of businesses were able to run but Salazar added that the engagement level is starting to ramp back up.
Salazar said, “We feel like we are already busting at the seams and my dream is to do a capital campaign and expand our indoor programs space. Right now, we must get creative and resourceful with the spaces we have.”
The club has constructed a new strategic plan to continue to add programs and facilities that the community can use.
“This will help us develop more targeted programs to reach more middle school and high school students. To be successful at that, we must specialize and create a different environment that does not look or feel the same as the spaces for childcare programs.”
Some plans that Salazar mentioned are putting together an E-sports lab and getting rid of the conference rooms to add a teaching kitchen area.
“We need our space to keep up with our vision and relentless desire to be a resource and expand our program opportunities to the community that we are here to serve.”