HARRISBURG – Belle Vernon has been awarded a $225,000 state grant to help revitalize a dilapidated athletics stadium in the borough, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) and Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) announced today.
“The Brewer Field site has so much potential to provide an array of great recreational opportunities for people of all ages and interests in Belle Vernon and the surrounding areas,” Warner said. “I was very happy to advocate for this grant, knowing just how much it would benefit the health and quality of life in our community.”
“Revitalizing this once-vibrant athletics stadium into a multi-purpose community park is an excellent step forward for Belle Vernon Borough and the surrounding area. The project creates new opportunities for recreation, wellness and community, and will thus enhance the quality of life for Fayette County residents and visitors alike,” Stefano said.
The grant would fund the first phase of the Brewer Field Redevelopment project, which aims to revitalize the old stadium into a multipurpose park that can be used for a variety of different activities and events. The field is no longer used by any sports team and has become essentially an open field that has been the target of vandals, so the borough would like to turn it into a park that has a walking trail, a dog park, working restroom facilities and a pavilion.
The initial phase, to be funded by the grant, would include demolition and site work, securing the site, installing a lighted walking path and renovations to existing restrooms to make them operational.
The grant was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which is funded by impact fees on natural gas drilling in the Commonwealth.
CONTACT: Amanda Cuteri, (Stefano’s office), 717-787-7175
Patricia Hippler, (Warner’s office), 717-772-9846