When Bridgton Select Board members heard a pitch for the town to accept responsibility of the Kendal C. and Anna Ham Recreational Complex, selectman Bear Zaidman asked whether BRAG looked into holding special events there.

BRAG president Bill Macdonald said the opportunity exists, but the group’s limited membership was focused on finishing work on a punch list of items so the organization could turn the facility over to the town.

With Bridgton to take ownership on July 1, the question remains, what would residents like to see offered at the Rec Complex? 

Last week, Rec Director Gary Colello launched an online survey to find out what the public wants.

“The Recreation Department would like to thank members of BRAG, former and current, for their hard work over the years creating an incredible opportunity for not only the Recreation Department to access more fields for its growing programs but for creating a safe green space for community members to recreate safely with friends and family,” Colello wrote. “The town will assume ownership of this incredible complex, and it is time to get feedback from community members and people in the surrounding area on the type of activities and events they wish to see throughout each year. Here in the Recreation Department, we have pondered all types of thoughts and ideas. Concert series, exercise clubs, national tournaments, adult sports leagues, festivals, and more have all been added to our ‘idea board.’ We realized as we thought about the complex’s future that we really need the input from the community.”

To take the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJT99GP

Some of the survey items include:

• Activities/events would interest you to be a regular user or visitor to the Ham Complex: Walking Club, pick-up Rec programs (example: adult softball and other sports), competitive athletics (example: adult softball leagues, adult soccer), cross-country running and/or skiing, aerobic exercise classes, pet exercise (example: Dog Play Group), pickleball/tennis (currently there are no courts), basketball (currently no courts), music concerts, festivals, youth programming, youth athletic tournaments, support groups, leisure/workstation (example: a place to do homework, take home work, or a place for relaxation/thinking).

• Do you support the Recreation Department pursuing opportunities to host local, regional, and national athletic tournament bids? 

• Finish the sentence: On July 1, 2022 when the Town of Bridgton takes ownership of the Ham Complex the first priority for the complex should be….

• Do you support the Recreation Department pursuing opportunities for local, regional, and national artist, and performers to perform in Bridgton at the Ham Complex? Please add your thoughts in comments.

• Do you support the Recreation Department creating festival-like events hosted at the Ham Complex? Please share your thoughts on the type of festival. 

• Would you support future efforts to connect the Ham Complex to Pondicherry Park by way of walking/hiking trails?

• Is there something you wish was available in Bridgton that would be perfect for the Ham Complex to host?

The survey will be available through the budget meeting season. For easy access to the survey, use your smart phone, and scan the QR code included here.