Cost Overruns Hit Simsbury Meadows Project, Hearing Dec. 10: UPDATE

SIMSBURY, CT — Slightly more than three months after breaking ground, a major project to expand the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center needs more public cash to complete it.

The Simsbury Board of Finance on Wednesday, Dec. 10, is hosting a public hearing on a $388,000 supplemental taxpayer appropriation being requested due to cost overruns associated with the project.

It will take place at 6 p.m. at Simsbury Town Hall, 933 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury.

The hearing will provide the public the opportunity to comment on the proposal, with the finance board acting on the appropriation once the hearing is closed.

When voters approved funding for the project the first time around — in May 2024 during the budget process — the work was estimated to cost a total of $2.78 million, with Simsbury's share about $500,000, with the rest coming from state grants and donations.

In recent months, however, costs to add to the venue have jumped to $3.17 million, requiring the special appropriation to do what was planned.

The additions, called the "Next Act Expansion Project," are designed to add amenities and improve infrastructure.

Proponents hope the expansion will further make Simbury Meadows a cultural and economic player for the region.

Highlights of the project include: green rooms for visiting artists, multiple-purpose rooms, and office space for staff. Simsbury Meadows.

The venue draws more than 40,000 attendees annually and is one of the largest outdoor
performing arts venues in Connecticut.

Fueling the cost overruns are higher-than-expected costs to install fire sprinklers, soil conditions not being suitable for the project, and issues with utility installation, according to a presentation made to the town recently.

The supplemental cash will take care of the soil situation, relocate electrical and communications lines, install fire sprinklers, and add security cameras, among other items.

According to the call for the hearing, the $388,000 would come out of the town's capital reserve funds. While no added taxation is expected, town approval is required.

The Town of Simsbury has a longstanding operating agreement with the center, which is a separate, nonprofit entity from the town.

In November 2024, the town and Simsbury Meadows signed a 15-year operation pact, essentially making the town and Simsbury Meadows partners.

Simsbury Meadows spokesperson Lynn Adame said much of what is needed is a matter of public safety.

"A portion of the money goes to a fire hydrant. This is a public safety consideration that would be necessary with or without this construction project," she said Monday.

Another portion, about half, Adame said, is to bolster the contingency funding.

This is "to make sure costs are covered should unforeseen changes be necessary. Unspent contingency, of course, remains property of the town," Adame said.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis echoed those sentiments Monday regarding the reason for the cost overrun.

"Most of the reason is due to the need for fire prevention and a sprinkler system as determined by the fire marshal, which would have left little to no contingency," Mackstutis said.

For more information on the Simsbury Board of Finance hearing on the Simsbury Meadows project on Dec. 10, click on this link.

From Sept. 24: 'Simsbury Concert Venue Breaks Ground On Major Expansion'

From May 7: 'Major Expansion Approved For Simsbury Concert Venue'