Recreational opportunity presented in N.Hampton

By Terrill Covey, Hampton Union Staff Writer

NORTH HAMPTON — Lou Datilio wants to do his part for the community.

Datilio, owner of New Hampshire Academy of Artistic Gymnastics, said he would like to offer to the town his facilities at 67 Winnicut Road to be used at Recreation Director Brenda DeFelice's discretion for recreational activities.

"This is not offered as an extension of our school or as an extra burden on our tax obligations, but rather to do my part as a fiscally responsible citizen, a recreation professional, and most importantly, a parent," Datilio wrote in a letter to the town. "I feel that environment plays a large role in my child's personal growth."

Datilio approached selectmen on Monday to let them know what he hoped to do, and to ask for their approval.

DeFelice addressed the benefits of the public/private partnership.

"Having a facility to partner up with like this would be a great asset," she said. "They have outside trails, and are equipped with pools. It would allow us to offer more to the community."

In addition to the pools and trails, Datilio's facilities include his gymnastics equipment, basketball and volleyball courts, and even a boccicq court.

Datilio told selectmen that perhaps the town could help him with maintenance and operation costs as opposed to any sort of tax burden on the town.

"Many people don't have kids who will use the facility," he said. "I would probably only ask for help with the facilities and operations."

Board Chairman Jack Steiner said his biggest concern is with the nonconforming use.

"That is a (Zoning Board of Adjustment) issue, and I would wait until they have a chance to address it before I give a final approval," he said.

"I would suggest that when the issues of the ZBA are taken care of, we actively pursue this," Sullivan said.

The idea will go before the Zoning Board at its Jan. 17 meeting, after which selectmen will address the issue again.

Pat Shepard, former recreation commissioner in North Hampton, said the North Hampton Youth Association and the owners of Knowles Field have a similar situation in which the town has access for sports and recreation.

Other area communities have also worked out situations in which a private facility is used for community recreation.

Selectmen received letters from the recreation directors in Exeter, Portsmouth and Seabrook who are strongly in favor of public/private partnerships for recreation.

Jan French Dicey, assistant parks and recreation director in Exeter, said in her letter that the town has arrangements with both the public school system in Exeter and Phillips Exeter Academy.

"Without these tremendous resources, we could not have many of our programs for youth or adults," she said.

Dicey also agreed with Datilio that the program should not be a burden to taxpayers.

"Any extra maintenance incurred could be offset by a percentage of a respectable registration fee paid for by users," she said. "Not passed on to taxpayers."

Sandra Beaudoin, director of recreation in Seabrook, pointed out that it is necessary to provide "the broadest programs schedule possible."

She said partnering with public businesses would expand facilities, thus, expanding opportunities for recreation."

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