Bloomfield officials applaud field and fiddles – NorthJersey.com

Investors Bank donates $100,000 toward construction of a Community Activities Building at Bloomfield's Foley Field.(Photo: Courtesy of Foley Field Foundation)

The Bloomfield Board of Education has accepted $100,000 toward the construction of a Community Activities Building at Foley Field.

The Foley Field Foundation received the donation from Investors Bank, according to foundation President Mike Napolitano. That investment covers half the costs, with the rest of the funding and material contributions well on their way, he said.

The $200,000 project is the latest in the high school fields transformation.

Phase 1 saw the demolition of the dilapidated grandstands, followed by additions of an artificial turf field, upgraded lighting and an eight-lane track. Phase 2 involved a Green Acres grant that matched referendum funding. That helped install new grandstands and a press box.

Contributions have also paid for two ticket booths, secure storage for the track and field program, a public address system, scoreboard, trainer cart and commemorative flag park.

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Phase 3 brings the Community Activities Building, which Fallon Pacheco Architects designed pro bono, Napolitano said.

The two stories cover 1,875 square feet each. The first floor consists of concessions, restrooms and storage. The second floor, with a kitchenette and seating, accommodates more than 80 people.

The latter was designed with boosters in mind, noted Napolitano. The "Events and Meeting" floor couldserve league or team banquets. It also can be a celebratory space for annual events such as the marching band festival, the Sunset Classic and the township fireworks spectacular, for example, he added.

A small crows nest, overlooking the field, can treat second-floor guests, or a camera to supplement press-box coverage, he said.

In addition to the Investors Banks donation, Phase 3 funding includes $25,000 from Brookdale ShopRite, $25,000 from Bloomfield native Bob Pascal, and $5,000 from Joseph Poniatowski. Another $25,000 sponsor is expected to be named soon, said Napolitano, and the foundation is seeking sponsorship for the buildings ADA-compliant lift.

The recent agreement to remove a PSE&G utility pole, in the middle of the structures footprint, will allow groundbreaking in late spring, Napolitano said. That could spell an opening in time for the Bloomfield High School's football season, he said.

Also, during the recent meeting, the Bloomfield Board of Education applauded Carteret Elementary Schools Chrome Caf and Watsessing Elementary Schools STEAM programs.

Carterets Chrome Caf is a makeover of the schools media center.

Watssessing Elementary School students position their violins prior to a performance on March 28, 2017, for the Bloomfield Board of Education.(Photo: Owen Proctor/NorthJersey.com)

While a traditional library is a place of independent study, weve transformed it into a center of active learning, Principal John Baltz told the board.

Watsessing faculty, meanwhile, walked through the school's achievements in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, and the performing arts.

The presentation included a performance of 30 student violinists, representing half of those involved in the program. Five numbers included Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Im very proud of these kids, fourth-grade teacher Monika Martin said. Theyve only had an instrument in their hands about six months.

Email: proctor@northjersey.com

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Bloomfield officials applaud field and fiddles - NorthJersey.com