Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, Ref – Mahopac) is pleased to report that on June 10, 2020, his legislation (A10388) passed the Assembly to better enable the Town of Southeast to welcome a new state-of-the-art youth baseball facility and increase access to open space in the town. Honoring a home rule request made by the Town of Southeast, this legislation alienates previous parkland so that a new recreational facility by ProSwing Sports Realty, Inc. may be considered on the property. ProSwing Sports plans to develop a new sports facility that will provide greater recreational opportunity for local youth, while also boosting the economy by bringing in new jobs and tax revenue. At the same time, this legislation also dedicates new property off Starr Ridge Road in Southeast as parkland, resulting in a net increase of 10 new acres of preserved open space in the town.
“Respecting and working with our elected representatives in local government is an important part of our job,” said Byrne. “I’m happy that, by working together with Supervisor Hay and the rest of the town board, we were able to introduce and pass this legislation that will not only help welcome a business that can bring jobs and revenue to our community, but increase the amount of open space available for our residents to enjoy.”
Dan Gray, President of ProSwing Sports added, “ProSwingSports is excited and thankful for the support of Assemblyman Kevin Byrne and Senator Peter Harckham and their respective houses in approving the home rule legislation that will permit the Town of Southeast to proceed with consideration of state of the art facilities including multi field and indoor court facilities on Pugsley Road. The facility will promote youth athletics, sportsmanship, diversity, economic growth and scholastic opportunity for young men and women throughout the Region. As proposed, this will also make possible additional parkland for passive recreation located on Starr Ridge Road, which has been designated a historic and scenic route by the Town of Southeast. The Town of Southeast Comprehensive Plan encourages the pursuit of opportunities for public, private partnerships in the development of recreational resources. We are pleased that this project will specifically respond to that desire expressed by the Town. The support we have received from the Town Board of the Town of Southeast, the Putnam County Legislature, and County Executive Odell make it more gratifying that we can provide a healthy, nurturing environment for our communities in order to promote and develop self-esteem, team building, and leadership skills. We are enormously thankful for the support we have received thus far and look forward to contributing to the improvement in the quality of life of parents and children using youth sports as the vehicle.”
This legislation passed the Assembly on June 10, 2020. Same as legislation was also introduced and recently passed in the Senate by Sen. Harckham.