LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The construction of Bill Laston Memorial Park's new pavilion is uncertain because of higher than expected costs, the Recreation Committee said during its meeting last week. 

 

The pavilion's components were delivered to Laston Park, near where it will be built; however, the committee moved it to the Water Department until it can be built.

 

Committee members say they are hoping to have it built so that it runs parallel to the chain link fence toward the basketball court. 

 

When the town originally got the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism grant, officials were hoping there would be enough funds to cover both the pavilion and its assembly but recently found out it could to cost an additional $50,000. 

 

Former Town Manager Kelli Robbins had spearheaded the $75,000 MOTT grant and town meeting OK'd another $50,000 toward the project last year. After Robbins left, the Council on Aging offered to take on the planning.

 

Council on Aging Chair Mark Siegars confirmed that projected costs are exceeding expectations. 

 

"The bids for a concrete pad and erection were all for more than $130,000," he wrote in an email to iBerkshires. "The pad has been redesigned and there are some community members seeking donations."

 

The council had opted to "maximize the size for price," Siegars said in recommending a pavilion 20 feet longer than the original 40-by-60-foot structure. 

 

The town ordered the building for $52,000 and has about $75,000 left on hand. Siegars was unsure of the status of the grant but thought the $25,000 left had to be spent by next June.

 

The Recreation Committee, which will be responsible for maintaining the pavilion and handling its rental, expressed some concerns on the size and whether more funding could be found. 

 

Many members did agree that the pavilion would be a good addition to the town because it will allow for more concerts, activities, and weddings to be held there. 

 

The committee also discussed the upcoming basketball season and announced that they are open to registration. On average the town has 50 to 60 kids participating in the sport. 

 

Tryouts are this Monday for the travel team. 

 

"Last year was the first full year back, like playing basketball and at least from the beginning of the season to the end of the season there was a drastic difference in the kids skill level because they were finally back regularly doing something. So I'm curious to see what this year does," committee member Jabari Powell said. 

 

Lanesborough is currently negotiating with Williamstown regarding how the leagues will compete this year.  

 

Williamstown wants to change to a 3-on-3 rather than the 5-on-5 format so more kids get a chance to interact with the ball.

 

"It's actually very exciting for basketball. That it's an Olympic sport right now. There are different rules. You've got to clear the ball each time … of course so you have to take it back up past the three shot line. It's a very, very quick form of basketball," committee member Thomas Voisin said.

 

Powell said there are not enough coaches and referees for each town to make up for the higher number of teams using the 3-on-3 format. He said a compromise was to use that format for all leagues except 5 and 6  "because they need to play 5-on-5 full court basketball."

 

In other news: 

 

• The hoop is up for the Bridge Street basketball court and some members of the committee have seen some kids utilizing it. 

 

The town is going to put down airport mix or reclaim on the outside so it isn't a trip hazard. The Department of Public Works will put in top soil and reseed it. 

 

Painting will wait until next spring although there are concerns on finding a local company to do it. The committee has reached out to Pittsfield and North Adams for suggestions.

 

• Select Board member Timothy Sorrell informed the committee that the new cannabis operation is thinking about making a donation to the town. If the Select Board approves, he would request the donation be given to the committee because its budget has not kept up with its responsibilities.

 

• The committee is also requiring Criminal Offender Record Information, CORI, checks on coaches and assistant coaches as an annual policy even though the check is valid for up to two years.