Jason Perkins, Director of the Town of Webb Recreation Department, offered a proposal to the Town Board on Monday, January 20th, regarding the installment of an indoor sports facility at the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center on North Street.

The funding for the project was explained by Nick Rose, Executive Director of CAP-21, who said a state reimbursement grant would be used.

The total estimated cost is $14,262.98.

This includes indoor field turf, two soccer goals, protective netting and the hardware for installing it, soccer balls, and a portable scoreboard.

The grant was originally awarded to the town for upgrading the existing playground equipment.

About ten community members attended the meeting in support of the project, according to Jason Perkins.

Among those was Louie Ehrensbeck, who described how this new facility would benefit the Town of Webb school’s soccer and golf teams.

Perkins said parents had told him their children are currently participating in an indoor soccer league in Westmoreland.

“They enjoy playing every week, but the trips are getting very costly and time consuming for the parents,” he said.

The proposed field area would be regulation size for indoor soccer with dimensions of 120 feet by 60 feet, Perkins said.

The goals would also be indoor regulation size, which is about half the size of the outdoor goals.

The turf itself would be delivered in 10 separate 12-foot by 60-foot rolls that would be rolled onto the concrete floor of the pavilion, and removable when necessary.

Three adults would be required for the installation and removal.

The rolls are designed to interlock with a built-in Velcro system, Perkins said.

When not in use, it is hoped that the turf and other field accessories can be stored in the zamboni room of the recreation building.

Although bleacher-type seating would be an enhancement for spectators, there are no plans for that at this time, Perkins said.

Netting amounting to 15,180 square feet will be arranged to cover all four sides, as well as atop the field.

This will provide protection to spectators on the sidelines and the lighting fixtures and heating system on the ceiling.

Given the age range of players that have expressed interest, Perkins is hoping to set up at least three leagues.

A U10, U13 or 14 and a U18 league are all strong possibilities, he said.

All in all, there have been over 30 people that have approached Perkins about the possibility of participating.

“I think this will be a great investment, seeing how soccer plays a big role in our school and community. There seems to be a lot of positive input about it,” he said.

There were no definite decisions made at Monday’s meeting, but a second meeting has been scheduled for February 3rd at 7 p.m., at the Town of Webb Municipal Building.

It is expected that a formal decision about the facility will be made at that time.