EAST BRUNSWICK — Even if the township is able to secure use of the Middlesex County Fairgrounds, it still needs to find more fields for its growing sports leagues, according to league officials.
Dave Stahl, president of the East Brunswick Soccer Club, said that although the township had use of 24 soccer fields this fall, it needs at least five more.
Soccer games were played at about 14 fields at the Cranbury Road fairgrounds and the adjacent Dideriksen Park, and another 10 at Bicentennial Park and at the schools.
The township now has two problems though. First it must find a way to continue using the fairgrounds, then it must find another area in town to build the additional five fields, Stahl said.
At recent Township Council meetings, members of the soccer club and other township sports leagues have packed the room, and some have demanded more fields. Many said the sports leagues are growing at a rapid pace, but the township has not been adding any new facilities.
The issue was discussed at a meeting Tuesday night of the township’s Future Municipal Land Use Advisory Committee. Stahl, the soccer club’s representative on the committee, told the committee that the township needs more soccer fields.
"I spoke as to the need for the fairgrounds and the need for more fields at another area," he said. "There’s been no major acquisition of athletic facilities in this township in years, with the exception of Manager’s Hall."
The baseball fields at Manager’s Hall, located near Crystal Springs, were built about 10 years ago.
Not only does the township need to secure more fields, it also needs to improve the ones at the fairgrounds if it is to continue using them, Stahl said.
But the status of those fields is uncertain, as the township’s contract allowing it to lease the fields expires this month. Township officials are currently in negotiations with the fairgrounds’ owner, the Middlesex County Fair Association, regarding the future of the site.
Representatives of the township and the association have met three times, with the most recent meeting being held last week. Both sides have said the talks have been amicable and that progress has been made, but details of the talks have not been made public.
Mayor William Neary said last week that he wants the township to purchase the fields, but he would not comment further.
At a recent meeting, however, Jeffrey Simon, council president said the focus of township officials is on renewing the lease.
Both Simon and Neary have vowed that East Brunswick children will have soccer fields to play on this spring.
Barbara Foerter, president of the fair association, has said that "no one" wants to see the children lose out.
She has also said that the group does not want to sell its 50-acre property.
The association said it wanted to end the lease relationship with the township because the township has not abided by the terms of the 20-year-old contract.
One possible solution to the shortage of fields, Stahl said, would be to have lights installed at some of the fields, so that night games could be played, thus reducing the need for fields in the daytime.
Stahl said the committee will meet again in February, and an expert would be brought in to assess the needs of the "greater community." A plan based on those needs could then be devised.

