Resident Offers Large Donation For Recreational Center

By Steve Bigham

Longtime Newtown resident Lindell Hertberg has made a significant and timely offer to the town that should prove very hard to refuse. This week, it was announced that Mr Hertberg planned to donate $500,000 towards the construction of a new recreational facility for the town.

A longtime coach of youth basketball and softball, Mr Hertberg has seen the increasing need for improved facilities, especially gym space. His offer, which has been on the table privately for nearly two years, was announced publicly for the first time at Wednesday night’s Legislative Council meeting.

Earlier this year, Mr Hertberg joined Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian for a tour of the $1.2 million Police Athletic League (PAL) facility in Danbury, which houses a gymnasium and other smaller rooms. Mr Hertberg envisions something similar in Newtown, a facility that would not be tied in with the schools.

“I’d love to get it going,” Mr Hertberg said this week. “If we can make a difference, I’d be delighted to do it.”

Mr Hertberg has stipulated that the money be “meaningful” and not simply a small part of a larger project, such as purchasing Fairfield Hills. The town, of course, would need to find the land.

Mr Hertberg, who is currently an assistant coach with the NHS softball team, moved to Main Street in Newtown with his family in 1971. He quickly gained a reputation for volunteering and pitching in whenever it was needed, like helping the first Newtown High girls’ soccer team gets its uniforms. Mr Hertberg, who last year was inducted into The Newtown Bee Sports Hall of Fame, has had a positive influence on many young female athletes.

Mr Hertberg was a graduate of Richmond Hill High School in Queens, New York, and of Hofstra University on Long Island. Growing up a stickball player, he started three years at third base for the Hofstra baseball team.

In Newtown, he founded Hertberg Associates, a financial planning company that specialized in tax-sheltered annuities for teachers.

Mr Hertberg became involved in coaching because of his three daughters, Ann, Bonnie, and Holly, who are all now in their 30s.

Over the years, he has coached numerous teams, many of which have gone on to win titles.

“It’s been lovely,” he said. “The wins and losses – those are just personal things. But the most important thing is the kids who show their appreciation at the end of the season. That means the most to me.”

And, no doubt, his generous offer will mean a lot to Newtown.

This week, the Legislative Council agreed to send a letter of thanks to Mr Hertberg. However, no other action was taken on his offer, which came in the form of a letter to Chairman Pierre Rochman.