Generational Improvements at Living Memorial Park

The Park was purchased in 1954 with War Bonds to create a Living Memorial to those who served in World War II. For generations citizen of all ages have been going to Living Memorial Park to recreate memories, build new friendships and learn lifelong skills.

In March of 2023, at Representative Town Meeting the voters voted in favor of taking out a bond in the amount of $4,100,000 for Generational Improvements at Living Memorial Park.

The generational improvements will include:

• Rink roof replacement and building code improvements
• Upgrading the refrigeration system at the skating rink from R22 to a natural refrigerant
• Upgrading the ballfield lighting system at the upper field; convert from metal halide to LED
• New 3,520 sq. ft. maintenance building
• Increase the parking at the Kiwanis Shelter by 7,200 sq. ft.

Click here to view a PowerPoint presentation that was shown during the 2023 Representative Town Meeting Informational Session.

Have an idea? Want to provide feedback about the project? Reach out at [email protected].

 

Generational Improvements Timeline

The table below provides an estimate of when projects at Living Memorial Park should be underway.

Project	Estimated Start Date
Skating Rink
Refrigeration & Dehumidification Unit – July 23, 2024, Bid Awarded to American Refrigeration	The submittals for the refrigeration and dehumidification equipment have been submitted for review – approved and are in production ARC started work on June 9TH  The refrigeration & dehumidification units will be installed this summer  Work is expected to be completed  Sept 2025
Skating Rink Roof – July 23, 2024, Bid Awarded to Melansons	Completed September 2024 Melansons completed the Roof Project September 2024 The work has been inspected  Warranty has been received
Fire Protection & Elec. Upgrade – July 23, 2024 Bid Awarded to J. King Electric	J Kings is expected to begin their work on the Fire Alarm System and Lighting Upgrades June 20 They will continue to work on the electrical upgrades during the summer months.
Civil Permits
Planning Board Submission	Approved March 2024
Stormwater Application	Received September 2024
Wastewater System Application	Received September 2024
Act 250 Application	Received September 2024
Maintenance Building Construction
July 23, 2024, Bid Awarded to All Seasons Maintenance Garage & Lower Park Electrical Upgrades – July 23, 2024, Bid Awarded to J. King Electric	All Seasons Work is near completion The State Occupancy Permit has been granted Final work includes exterior siding and landscaping/sitework
Upper Field Lights
Rejected all bids July 23, 2024 Re-Bid Dec. 2024/Jan. 2025 Bid awarded to Cleveland Electric on March 6, 2025	Cleveland Electric has started their underground work with laying the conduit Installation will begin the first week Sept. 2025 – When the Season Is Over Special Thanks to a donation from the Vermont Community Foundation Withington Fund and The Brattleboro Area Softball League.
Kiwanis Shelter Parking Lot
July 23, 2024, Bid Awarded to Bernie LaRock & Son	Completed May 2025 Bernie LaRock & Son has completed the project.

 

August 8, 2023

The Recreation & Parks Department distributed a request for propsals (RFP) seeking complete architectural services including civil, structural, PHVAC and electrical engineering for the skating rink new roof system, new refrigeration and dehumidification systems, fire alarm and lighting. Further, the department requested proposals for the design of a new maintenance building to replace the existing building along with expanding the Kiwanis Shelter parking lot and upgrading softball upper field lighting. The RFP requested that proposals include state and local permitting along with construction administrative services.

 

October 2023

The department received two proposals. Recreation & Parks Director Carol Lalotte reviewed the proposals with Building Consultant Steve Horton and Park Supervisor Paul Ethier. The two proposals were from Michael Petrovick Architects (Petrovick) and Northeast Collaborative Architects (NCA). Both are qualified firms.

In comparing both teams’ proposals, the reviewers preferred the submission by the team at Petrovick Architects. Petrovick’s office is in Keene, New Hampshire, and the team is made up of all local firms, all within a half-hour drive of Brattleboro. The team from Petrovick is made up of firms that Steve Horton has worked with over a dozen times. The department can vouch for all of them. In contrast, NCA has an office in Rhode Island, which would make job-site visits a greater challenge.

At the October 2023 Selectboard Meeting, the Selectboard awarded the contract for architectural and engineering services to Michael Petrovick Architects, PLLC.

 

September 2024

Several projects moved forward during September 2024. Pictured below: New panels were installed on the roof at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility, workers prepared the parking lot next to the Kiwanis Shelter for paving, the maintenance building at Living Memorial Park was demolished. 

 

March 2025

The Recreation & Parks Director provided an update to the Selectboad on various projects during its March 6 meeting. These updates included —

• Maintenance Building Construction: The building envelope has been completed; work begins on the interior including electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling along with interior rooms. Roofers started their work.
• R22 Upgrade/Dehumidification Unit: Installation expected to take place between May and September 2025.
• Start Upper Softball Lights Upgrades: Work will begin in September 2025 after the season ends.
• Kiwanis Shelter Parking Lot: Project 90% complete; fine landscaping and signage to be install in spring 2025.
• Code Improvements at Skating Facility (Fire Alarm Upgrade & Electric): Work expected to begin in March 2025.