The pavilion at Swift Field in South Colton is used year-round for a variety of recreation activities, the town’s annual flea market, concerts and other events.

SOUTH COLTON – The purchase of a portable rink for the Colton Pavilion site and acquiring ice skates for general use are among improvements planned by the town.

Believing that the pavilion at Swift Field in South Colton could be better used, citizens and town employees are planning for the improvements and for a way to help pay for them.

“The pavilion could be better utilized year-round for a variety of recreational and other activities,” said Colton Superintendent of Public Works Darren Richards. “It is part of a larger complex which also includes a nearby heated bathroom and changing area, making it for instance an ideal location for ice skating. And the recently expanded parking area at Swift Field accommodates more cars as well as vans and buses.”

So the town has been planning improvements including acquisition of a portable ice skating rink to be installed before winter for hockey and other ice skating activities. Earlier this year the town received a Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant from the St. Lawrence Health Initiative for a Porta-Rinx system as well as for ice skates to be made available at no charge to anyone without equipment.

So the town’s Department of Public Works is partnering with the town’s Tourism and Beautification Committee to sell sponsorship ads at the pavilion at Swift Field.

Tourism and Beautification Coordinator Ruth McWilliams says she and Scott Muller are coordinating the ad campaign by approaching businesses, organizations and even families about sponsoring ads.

The aim of the campaign is to raise funds for improvements to the pavilion and, more generally, the town’s recreation program.

The town board has approved the ads idea, which would, for $350, place a full-size three-by-five-foot ad on the interior boards at the pavilion for three years. A half-size ad – three by two-and-a-half feet – would cost $275. Business and organization ads typically include a logo or image plus a tag line along with contact information. Families may want to include an image and text honoring people, places, things or events important to them.

Northeastern Sign in South Colton is producing the polycarbonate laminated ads from camera-ready copy. The cost of the ads does not include design assistance, so if help is needed, sponsors can work with graphic artists at Northeastern Sign or elsewhere and pay their charges.

Those interested in learning more about the ads or placing an order may contact Ruth McWilliams at 262-2450 or Scott Muller at 244-9956. The order form is available in the Colton Town Hall and on the town website, http://www.townofcolton.com.