Westport is a kids and sports town.
And few Westporters know kids and sports better than Jon Deren and Michael Maurillo.
Deren and his wife Sara are raising 3 children here. He’s coached PAL football, Little League baseball and youth basketball. As owner of Camp Manitou, the developer of other camps and programs (including for underserved youths), he’s impacted tens of thousands of children and families. He and Sara also co-founded Experience Camps, a national non-profit that provides programs to boys and girls who have lost a parent or caregiver.
Maurillo and his wife Jen raised 2 boys here. He’s coached youth lacrosse, basketball and flag football, and served on the PAL Lacrosse board. As co-owner and director of Academy Camps, he offers quality instruction and leadership skills to hundreds of young athletes — many of them from Westport — each year.
Both men know how much our town provides its youngsters.
And how much it lacks.
Jon Deren (left) and Michael Maurillo
With space tight, parents haul their kids to Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford — and beyond — for chances to train, or just play sports indoors with friends.
For several years, Deren and Maurillo have tried to create an indoor facility — a “modern Boys & Girls Club” that is a third space, beyond home and school, where kids can be active and have fun.
Finally, they’ve found their spot.
1431 Post Road East is a non-conforming 1.74-acre parcel, with a restaurant (Bar Lupa), greenhouses and consignment shop. Cars back right onto the road; there are ,multiple entrances and exits.
1431 Post Road East today …
Deren and Maurillo hope to convert the lot into a 2-story space with an all-purpose court for basketball, volleyball and pickleball; a turf field for soccer, lacrosse and football (big enough for training, but not full games), and a fitness area with strength and conditioning coaches.
The facility would not be for high-level athletes only, the planners note. Any boy or girl who wants to play, train and improve would be welcome.
The aim is for “camp-like activities,” camp owners Deren and Maurillo say. It is not a place for tournaments with teams, and there are no outdoor activities.
There would be locker rooms, and a lounge where youngsters could socialize, do homework and meet with tutors.
… and aerial views showing the present site (left), and planned facility (right, with building and drop-off outlined in beige).
Though the primary users would be ages 10 to 18, Deren and Maurillo would welcome adults when school is is session. There could be toddler programs too.
Tonight (Monday, July 27, 6 p.m.; Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission hears a pre-application for the facility. They’ll provide feedback to the applicants on the plan, including parking, a dedicated lane for drop-off and pickup, and landscaping to buffer residential neighbors. (Click here, then scroll down to 1431 Post Road East, for materials provided with the pre-application.)
Game on!
==================================================
That’s not the only pre-application the P&Z will hear tonight.
There’s also a preliminary plan for redevelopment of 34 Imperial Avenue, into 2 residential buildings with 9 units. It’s just north of the Westport Woman’s Club, on the west side of the street.
It was constructed around 1890, as a private home. Since 1970, it’s been an office building, with 6 units. The conversion came when town officials created a transition zone, between downtown retail and residences, with offices for doctors, lawyers and small businesses.
34 Imperial Avenue today …
Its location — close to the Library, Levitt Pavilion and downtown — would appeal to empty nesters looking to downsize, and others seeking in-town housing. (Click here, then scroll down to 34 Imperial Avenue, for materials provided with the pr-application.)
… and an artist’s rendering of the 9-unit proposal.
(“06880” regularly covers zoning issues — and every other hot Westport topic. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
