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On Memorial Day, Jim Hanley, president of Fields for Kids, Bill Nachtigal, president of Larchmont Mamaroneck Little League, and state Assemblyman Steve Otis, a Port Chester Democrat, presented a check for $1.6 million to Larchmont Mayor Lorraine Walsh for the construction project.
Construction is set to start later this month on the two new grass fields, officials say. Included in the project are upgrades for the existing ballfield, which will be closed for the work.
"Fields for Kids is looking forward to the new home for baseball. We are proud to continue to help provide safe playing fields to support the 6,000 kids who play sports in our community," Hanley said.
Con Tech Construction Technology Inc. has been selected to build the two new ballfields. The new fields and the existing field are expected to be finished and ready for play by spring 2017, officials said.
Hanley said the start of construction closes out an effort that started in 2007, when Fields for Kids started helping to raise money for the project. Larchmont officials contributed $145,000 for engineering and permit fees, and Otis brought in a grant of $250,000 from the state in 2015, officials said.
Fields for Kids worked with Little League to collect the funds remaining to cover the $1.6 million construction budget, Hanley said.
"We are excited that Lorenzen Park will allow us to have multiple baseball and softball games at the same time in a single place," Nachtigal said. "We think the value of this complex goes beyond youth sports and will be an asset for the entire community."
Walsh and Otis congratulated all who worked to raise the money for the project.
"We thank Fields for Kids for all of their efforts and the generous donation which makes this project possible," Walsh said.
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