Concession Stand Has Soft Opening
August 30, 2010 by Greg Lederer
In today's economy more than ever, people are trying to lower expenses and raise revenue. Cheshire Youth Baseball/Youth Softball has long identified a concession stand as their multi-purpose answer. Profit could go toward improving fields around town while eventually lowering the cost of registration.
Last Friday morning at Bartlem Recreation Area, a dream took realization. All of the permits for a brand new stand next to the skate park were approved and a soft opening took place that evening.
“I'm extremely happy. It's a long time coming for everybody involved,” said organizer Mike Goggin. “But, sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel can be on oncoming train. There is still more to do.”
The 400-square-foot building contains a grill, deep fryer, broiler, hot chocolate maker, coffee machine, refrigerator, and freezer. The menu consists of hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, ice cream, chicken tenders, french fries, beverages, snacks, and more. According to Goggin, the focus of last weekend was turning on the grill and seeing how things worked.
“I think next weekend is when we want to start revving up. There are games scheduled here,” Goggin stated.
Goggin, the CYB/CYS president from 2006-09, has headed this project. Construction started after the stand was approved by the Town Council and Planning and Zoning Commission last fall.
If the organization had paid for everything, Goggin said the stand would have cost $90,000. But, the figure was dialed down significantly due to donations. OGS Technologies Inc. of Cheshire and Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation gave $10,000 apiece. Pasco Plumbing and Heating Inc., Cheshire Roofing, Country Lumber, Salamone and Associates, Milone and MacBroom, Ram Builders, International Union of Bricklayer's and Allied Craftsmen, O & G Industries, and Bristol Winnelson Co. also volunteered time and labor. CYB/CYS raised additional funds through their golf tournament and pancake breakfasts. They had originally sought to open for 2010 Opening Day on May 1, but the project had to be pushed back.
More youth baseball and softball action will be scheduled at Bartlem, so the stand can be fully utilized. While the project was constructed for CYB/CYS, renting it out has been discussed.