Take a virtual tour of a new football stadium as presented by The Newtown High School Blue and Gold Booster Club’s website.

On the club’s behalf, Dan Barrett advanced another step in his drive to rally support in fund-raising efforts for a facility he believes is necessary. After explaining why he feels the current facility is no longer adequately meeting the needs of players, spectators, or visiting teams, he appealed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for help recently.

“How can we work together?” he asked. The commissioners entertained conversation about mentioning the club’s fund drive in some Parks and Recreation literature. Director Barbara Kasbarian also offered to place posters and information in her office at Town Hall South.

Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said her office might be able to make available the club’s raffle tickets.

Mr Barrett envisions a facility including improvements such as artificial turf, two new field houses with code compliant rest rooms, a stadium field house with storage space for the band, and athletic field house with equipment storage space for softball, soccer, Lacrosse and field hockey.

The website’s “tour” also highlights aspects such as additional seating for visiting teams,and renovations to the snack shack, which Mr Barrett also hopes to see in the future. His hurdle is the price tag.

He named a goal of roughly $1.1 million. Fund-raising, raffle ticket sales, and soliciting contributions may not be sufficient as Parks and Recreation commissioners pointed out.

Conversation touched on ideas such as pursuing grant options, somehow aligning with the high school’s current expansion plans, which have not yet been decided, and imposing an additional charge on top of pay-to-play fees.

Mr Barrett stressed that he was not approaching the board for money, but Recreation members were ready to help in other ways, as far as helping get the word out.

  In concept, Chairman Ed Marks said, “I would love to see another turf field. The use is incredible.”

He then reassured Mr Barrett that he was prepared to help him in the future.

“If you need us to support you in other ways, like going before the Board of Education, I think we would,” Mr Marks said. He also indicated that members might go personally, if not on behalf of the commissions.

Cindy Manning attended the meeting with Mr Barrett, and discussed additional ideas to generating money.

“We are seeking corporate donors, if you could help get the word out that would be great,” she said. Local businesses, companies and corporate donors are sighted.

Throwing in a dose of reality, Mr Barrett said that the ranks are slim on behalf of the Blue and Gold’s fundraising.

“There are not enough people,” he said. “Like elsewhere, people want to see it done, but no one steps forward.”