A $498,697 grant has been approved for Watertown to help pay for an indoor recreation facility at Veterans Memorial Park, state Representative Sean Williams and state Senator Rob Kane announced today.

The grant will help pay construction costs for a 20,000 square foot metal building to be used as an indoor recreation facility at Veterans’ Memorial Park. The building will be installed on a concrete foundation in an area of the park that is currently not in use, the legislators said.

“The new facility will provide additional recreational opportunities for Watertown residents,” said Representative Williams, R-68th District. “Watertown has always prided itself on the variety and quality of its recreational facilities. The new facility will enhance the recreational options available to residents. It will enable them to enjoy indoor recreational activities regardless of weather conditions. I’d like to thank Governor Rell and the State Bond Commission for supporting this grant.”

“Watertown is continuing to grow and the need for additional recreational facilities is growing with the town. During the six years I served on the town council, we heard numerous requests from people involved with local sports organizations for new ball fields and other recreational facilities and did our best to meet those needs without increasing spending beyond what the town could afford. This grant demonstrates the state’s commitment to helping towns provide quality recreational facilities without increasing the burden on local property taxpayers. We’re very pleased to have helped secure the funding for this project,” said Senator Kane, R-32nd District.

The grant was authorized under the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). The bond commission recently approved more than $19.7 million in STEAP funds for 72 towns, enabling 83 projects across the state, including the indoor recreation facility for Veterans’ Memorial Park, to move ahead.