SOUTHINGTON - Buildings will be completed, sports fields graded and parking spaces added in the coming year. As 2010 starts several construction projects that will enhance recreation and education are expected to be finished.

The old Southington Twin Drive-In theater on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike will be transformed into a public park with sports fields and community pavilion. Department of Public Works Director Anthony Tranquillo said the design for the park is complete. The next step is approval of a special permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. That's expected to be voted on during the commission's Jan. 5 meeting. The old concession stand on the property was demolished recently.

The town purchased the 14-acre property adjacent to Recreation Park in 2004. A multi-use sports field will be used by several sports leagues, including the Southington Valley Midget Football League, which has outgrown its space at Recreation Park.

Former league President Ron Newman said volunteers helped last fall to ready the property for grading and other improvements. "We moved a fence and some trees. We look forward to the spring when we plan to volunteer again," he said.

Tranquillo said bids will be requested by February for the construction of the 8,000-square-foot pavilion. The building will be available to rent by the public.

The February school break will mark a new beginning for students at South End elementary school, also in Recreation Park. The students will move into their new school about six months earlier than planned.

The new $16.8 million building was constructed next to the old building, which is scheduled to be demolished by April. School Building Committee member John Moise said everything went well considering the economy. "It couldn't have gone better. It's a model" of a good project, he said.

South End Principal Sally Kamerbeek wrote in her December newsletter that construction is in the final stages. "Have you noticed the outdoor lights that have been installed along the driveway?" she wrote.

State Sen. Sam S.F. Caligiuri, R-Waterbury, surprised many when he announced in November that he had opted not to run for U.S. Senate and would instead run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Caligiuri announced in April that he would challenge U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd in 2010. But by the fall, with urging by Republican leaders, Caligiuri switched to opposing 5th District Congressman Christopher Murphy, D-Cheshire.

With as many as five Republicans running against Murphy, there's a good chance a primary will be needed.

Republican State Committee Chairman Chris Healy said he would like to have a unified party after the Republican convention in May, but that may not occur.

"The plus side with a primary is it helps make the campaign stronger and ignites that base," Healy said.

The new year may also bring the opening of the VIP adult boutique on Queen Street. Owner Dominick DeMartino received a zoning permit in August to open in the old Ethan Allen furniture building across from the Wal-Mart. After a series of closed-door meetings in the fall, the Planning and Zoning Commission issued a letter to DeMartino spelling out exactly what type of inventory it considered to be adult oriented.

To receive a certificate of occupancy, which is necessary to open the business, the store must have no more than five percent of its inventory be considered adult oriented. An inspection of the store to view the inventory is expected to be completed in early January by Planning Department staff.

DeMartino had wanted to open the store on New Year's Day, but a delay in the renovation of the building has pushed the planned opening back a week or so, he said.

lhutchison@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2214