Farmington High's Warren Memorial Nearing Completion

Greg Warren did everything imaginable to enhance the experience of Farmington’s young athletes until he succumbed to cancer on December 30 after a courageous two-year fight for life.

Thanks to the people whose lives he touched, Warren’s name will be etched in the minds of Farmington residents present and future with the construction of the 2,300-square-foot Greg Warren Memorial Field House adjacent to the high school athletic fields.

“When I think of Greg, the word that describes him best is ‘builder,’” Farmington Town Council chairman Mike Clark wrote about his friend. “In his case, Greg did not develop properties and subdivisions. Greg dedicated his life to building a wonderful family, a successful business, relationships with his many dear friends and a devotion to providing outstanding facilities and programs for our young athletes.

“If your children have participated in any athletic event at the Little League fields, Tunxis Mead or Farmington High School, you have unknowingly been touched by the labor and love of Greg Warren.”

The new structure will be located directly behind the existing concession stand. It will double the size of the concession area and provide storage for sports equipment, which currently sits in two cargo boxes.

It will also feature handicap-accessible bathrooms for men and women.

“No longer will there be the long walk only to find the high school doors are closed during an event,” said project supervisor Scott Zenke, who together with Warren was responsible for establishing permanent lighting for the FHS football field.

While the work has been quick and productive and the fund-raising successful, neither facet of the project is complete.

“We have a very aggressive schedule for our all-volunteer group,” said Zenke, the town’s superintendent of highways and grounds. “We broke ground on June 11, poured footings and walls and back-filled the building the week of the 13th and installed all underground utilities, the last two nights working until 9 p.m.

“The floor will be poured Monday, the 27th with a mason starting June 28 to install the block walls. Trusses and the roof are scheduled for the week of July 11. The project is expected to be complete by Labor Day.”

Thus, the facility will be ready for the high school football season, but Zenke listed other organizations that will benefit – the Mud Hogs Youth Football and Cheerleaders, the Farmington Youth Lacrosse Club and others who stage events at the high school, such as the Cancer Walk-a-Thon and Hershey Track competition. The facility will also come in handy in accommodating FHS graduation ceremonies.

“We’re very pleased with the response of not only the people that knew Greg but the outpouring of local businesses with either donations or materials and in-kind services in such a poor economy,” Zenke said.

Farmington Ready Mix, Johnny Carrier and related companies, A.H. Harris, O&G Industries, Jay Gauthier Plumbing and Heating, M&P Masonry, Sanford and Hawley, Westbrook Concrete Block Company, Sunset Associates, D.V. Morin Construction, Metro Realty Group, Target Supply, the LICO Group Corporation and Landworks Realty have all contributed.

The Mud Hogs, Farmington Youth Baseball League and Farmington Amateur Athletic Club have also done their part. For others, it’s not too late to join the list.

“We’re still short of our goal,” Zenke said. “If any companies or individuals would like to make a donation or are in the business of outfitting [handicapped-accessible] bathrooms or concession areas, please contact us at 860-673-6668.”

Zenke is seeking tax-exempt donations to the FAAC “in honor of Greg Warren’s service to the Town of Farmington.” Checks can be made payable to the FAAC and mailed to: P.O. Box 365, Farmington, CT 06034.