Hunger pangs fans feel watching a Monroe Little League Baseball game at Beardsley Fields may be for more than a win. A sandwich, hot dog or slice of pizza could be exactly what's needed to tide them over until the final out. But the concession stand has fallen into disrepair and is not up to code. A new one will be needed in time for opening day in the spring.
Plans are in the works for The 5th Base, a new concession stand that's just under 600-square-feet, with picnic tables in a fenced-in outdoor patio, two handicapped accessible bathrooms and a fundraiser wall with an "M" built with bricks engraved with the names of individuals, families and businesses who helped to make it all happen.
Julie Marella, a member of the Monroe Little League Board, says there is a $20,000 gap that must be made up to make the new concession a reality. On Tuesday night, she made a presentation before the Architectural Review Board and Marella hopes to have an application before the Planning & Zoning Commission by Jan. 17.
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Marella said the Little League initially wanted to renovate the existing building ... until they saw what was involved.
"I visited with Rich at the health department and asked what we needed to do to get it up and running. We needed a lot," she told the ARB.
The field uses portable bathrooms and the new concession stand will need Americans with Disabilities Act compliant bathrooms. Marella said there is a new septic system on the property that has never been used. It also has well water that has been tested and approved by the state. The new building will also have sinks.
Rather than having grills and fryers, Marella said the new concession stand will have a hot dog roller and a warmer for food that will be brought in, including orders of pizza. There will also be sandwiches prepared by Stop & Shop supermarket, according to Marella.
"We want to make it easy and have some non-junk food," she explained.
Volunteers will run the stand and proceeds will be used to maintain the two ball fields and to offset fees for the players. The Monroe Little League is a non-profit organization.
Marella said the concession stand would run with a seasonal permit.
The building would have some lighting to allow volunteers to clean up when it gets dark outside.
Town Engineer Scott Schatzlein wants to see a site plan with two paved handicapped parking spaces, Marella said.
"It's a big improvement from what's there," she said of the new building.
The existing building is block-shaped with a flat roof, while the new one will be L-shaped with a pitched roof. The roof would be charcoal gray with white vinyl siding for the trim and the building would be made of concrete block painted red.
Nancy Steinborn of the ARB suggested architectural shingles for the roof, which she said would last a long time.
"It's the same price," Chairman John Rosen added.
Michael Vitello, an ARB member, suggested using split-face block instead of concrete block for the building. He said it comes in colors and would save the Little League money on painting and future maintenance costs.
Steinborn said high winds can rip vinyl siding and Vitello recommended using white Hardi Board — a cement board that's termite proof — for the trim.
The ARB asked Marella to follow up on going with split face block, Hardi Board gables and architectural roof shingles and to come back to the board on Jan. 15, so a recommendation letter can be written in time for the P&Z two days later.
Steinborn said, "We want to see you get it done."
To learn more on how to buy a brick, donate materials or make a financial donation, visit the Monroe Little League fundraising website, fundraising.monroelittleleague.org.
