Perth Amboy Breaks Ground on Veterans Memorial Youth League Complex

Media Contact:

Jonathan Jaffe

908-789-0700

[email protected]

Dorothy Avenue Fields to Feature Synthetic Professional-Grade Turf for Youth Athletes

PERTH AMBOY – May 23, 2024 – One day – very soon – city youth will have state-of-the-art playing fields on Dorothy Avenue as part of an eagerly-awaited project that brought city, state, and federal officials together to break ground tonight.

More than 100 dignitaries – such as Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th Dist.), Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19th Dist.), state Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, and Mayor Helmin J. Caba – were recently on hand to mark the construction of the new Veterans Memorial Youth League Complex at 500 Dorothy Ave. Officials noted the last major facility upgrades took place in the 1980s, underscoring the importance of this project for the entire city.

“This is a tremendous initiative for Perth Amboy as we are leveraging funding from Middlesex County, the state, and even the federal government to make this a reality for our young athletes,” Mayor Caba said. “This is a comprehensive refurbishment and expansion of this youth complex, benefiting this generation of Perth Amboy children and many more who will come to enjoy these fields for many years to come.”

Project Details

The $11 million project includes the installation of synthetic turf for a baseball field, soccer field, and multipurpose recreational areas. The plan also includes significant upgrades to the Albert P. Muska Building, adding a second floor and even an observation deck.

The mayor noted the project includes many other amenities such as a pavilion, picnic area, synthetic turf batting cages and bullpens. There will also be ADA-accessible concrete walkways and enhanced landscaping with new trees, shrubs, and ground covers. In addition, the project features a grand entrance flagpole plaza, additional visitor parking, and updated fencing.

Tashilee Vazquez, executive director of the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency, said city officials were able to gather $9 million in government grants through multiple sources. That included $1.5 million from the federal government, more than $6 million from the state, and another $1.5 million from Middlesex County.

Community Impact

“This groundbreaking is great news for Perth Amboy and everyone who uses the Veterans Memorial Park,” Congressman Pallone said. “I’m glad I was able to secure $1.5 million for the city to invest in recreation and sports fields for young people. With this funding, the community will have access to state-of-the-art fields that will greatly enhance the park’s value for students and residents.”

In developing the project and securing the grants, Mayor Caba said the city conducted extensive public outreach to gauge community needs. Through more than 200 survey responses, as well as valuable input from the Perth Amboy Board of Education, local sports leagues, and other community groups, the project was designed to directly reflect the needs of area residents.

“This project addresses critical needs identified in the city’s master plan, including improved recreational facilities,” Mayor Caba said. “It is also happening at the ideal time as increased use is expected when the new high school opens later this year, a short proximity away. We are truly pleased to work with our county, state, and federal partners on a project that truly enhances the local quality of life and builds better infrastructure for our children’s recreational needs.”

For more details, you can read the full article on TapInto.net.