Printer Friendly Version - Westbrook Gets Bocce Court

Public Works Crew Cleans Up: On Aug. 1, a Public Works crew returned to the Mulvey Center to clean up the stones left over from the weekend bocce court construction work. Eagle Scout candidate Justin Heilmann planned and organized the project, tapping both the services of the town’s Public Works crew and scout volunteers. Photo by Becky Coffey/Harbor News

The “it” is a new bocce court installed behind the Mulvey Municipal Center. Its completion was made possible by a partnership between volunteers organized by Eagle Scout candidate Justin Heilmann, the town’s Public Works Department, and the Westbrook Foundation, which gave Heilmann a $3,000 grant to cover the cost of materials.

The heavy work to prepare the Mulvey Center site started on July 29. Westbrook’s Public Works Department used earth-moving equipment to clear and prepare a rectangular area next to the horseshoe pits.

Next came the team of volunteers to finish the job: Boy Scouts from Troop 7, Heilmann’s father Karl Heilmann and grandfather David Greenberger, his karate master Steve Voelker, and Dave and Nathan Bugbee. This team then worked throughout the weekend to install a drainage system for the new bocce court, cut and install the court’s wood framing, and finally, to transport to the court the loads of stone and crushed stone from the driveway where it was stored. At the end of Sunday, the court was leveled and graded to be ready for play.

A town public works crew returned to the site on Aug. 1 to remove the small amount of left-over stone materials remaining on the Mulvey Center parking lot.

It was Justin Heilmann’s idea to create the bocce court as his choice to fulfill the service project requirement of his Eagle Scout award. The project was also a labor of love for him.

“I’ve been playing bocce since I was a kid and it’s a fun game. I knew that the town needed more outdoor recreational activities, so I met with Parks & Rec to get permission to build a bocce court,” said Heilmann.

Heilmann also had to meet with Town Building Official David Maiden to clear the construction plans before work could begin.

Residents can use their own bocce sets on the new court or, for town seniors, bocce sets are available to borrow in the Town Senior Center in the Mulvey Center’s lower level.

Ready to Roll: Through a partnership between Westbrook’s Public Works Department and volunteers, Justin Heilmann’s planned Eagle Scout project, a new bocce court at the Mulvey Center, was completed. Photo by Becky Coffey/Harbor News