Sudbury Park and Rec backs joint CPC bid for Fairbank, Haskell master plan

SUDBURY — August 26, 2024 — Sudbury Park and Rec backs combined Fairbank-Haskell CPC application with pavilion as priority. The commission voted 5-0 on Aug. 26 to support Combined Facility Director Sandra Duran's draft Community Preservation Committee article funding a landscape master plan for both the Fairbank Community Center grounds and Jason Haskell Field, with a permanent pavilion and a second outdoor basketball court added as priority early-action items. Vice Chair Lori Eliason presented a Premier Park and Play quote of roughly $118,500 for a 60-by-30 metal-roof pavilion, which she said could escalate to $200,000 by build time; the second basketball court is pegged near $200,000 and design at $100,000, for a combined ask approaching $500,000. Member Mara L. Huston, who said recreation had absorbed disproportionate value-engineering cuts when the community center was built, argued the sacrifices "need to be recognized, need to be respected, need to be honored, and need to be prioritized." The commission separately nominated member Granger to succeed Huston as CPC liaison.