Damage To Community Center Field Estimated $18K

HARWICH – Circus Smirkus left a lot of great memories for the 2,800 patrons who enjoyed the four shows the nonprofit youth circus organization put on at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Complex behind the community center in July. 

It also left a series of ruts cut into the turf and damaged sprinkler heads in the field where town sporting events are held.

The estimated damage is between $15,000 and $18,000, Town Administrator Joseph Powers told the select board last week. The figures were based on an assessment done by Jared Hopkins of the department of public works and Golf Department Superintendent Shawn Fernandez. They estimated that it will take about $12,000 to repair the field and another $3,000 to fix damage to the sprinkler system, said Powers.

The damage was caused when heavy equipment was used to bring in tents and trailers that served the circus and personnel. The weight of the trailers and tents and earlier rains may have played a part in the damage to fields, Powers said. The damage is located in the outfields of the Fred W. Crowell Baseball Field and the Earle F. Bassett Softball Field. At least one scheduled event had to be relocated due to the problems. 

The town required insurance for the operation; both the nonprofit Harwich Children’s Fund, which sponsored the circus as a way of raising funds, and Circus Smirkus have insurance. 

When informing the youth and recreation commission of the status a few weeks ago, Recreation Director Eric Beebe said Powers recommended they pursue the cost of repairs through Circus Smirkus’ insurance policy. But Powers said last week that the Children’s Fund members have told town staff that if the town takes that route, the circus company’s insurance will seek remuneration through the Children’s Fund’s insurance. 

“I have no problem going after the insurance to make the town whole,” Powers said. “But I don’t want to damage the Children’s Fund.”

The Harwich Children’s Fund is a non-profit organization composed of volunteers who are retired teachers, school administrators and community members. Its mission is to offer support and aid to youth within the Monomoy Regional School District family who require assistance. Children’s Fund President Angela Chilka said 100 percent of the funds generated from Circus Smirkus, once bills are paid, will go directly toward addressing those needs.

Powers said the town must spend the money to repair the fields before it goes after the funds from the insurance companies.

Select Board member Michael MacAskill recommended the town go through the process and see where it lands.

Given the two-decade age of the irrigation system, Powers asked if the town should be looking at individual repairs or replacing the entire system. No answer was given to that question at the board meeting.