Rockville Centre Little League recently secured a second $2 million grant for renovations to the Hickey Field complex on Sunrise Highway, bringing the total funding obtained for the project to $4.55 million and moving the long-awaited overhaul of Hickey and Joyce fields significantly closer to construction.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie presented the state grant to the Village of Rockville Centre during a July 22 Hickey Field ceremony attended by Little League players, families, coaches, volunteers and village officials.
The latest grant comes on the heels of $2 million in federal Community Project Funding secured by Congresswoman Laura Gillen, which was announced during Rockville Centre Little League’s Opening Day ceremonies on April 18. The project also has received $550,000 in previously allocated state funding connected to construction work in the area, bringing the total secured funding to $4.55 million.
The entire project carries an estimated $7.2 million price tag and will be completed in phases. Phase 1 will focus on the renovation of Hickey and Joyce fields, including the installation of synthetic turf on both playing surfaces, replacement of the facility’s lighting system, and accessibility improvements.
The completed complex is expected to include upgraded dugouts, expanded spectator seating, a press box, concession and picnic areas, and a player development space.
Phase 2 of the project will include construction of a new tee-ball field, additional batting cages, a playground, pedestrian park lighting and landscaping improvements.
According to Andrea Wilkins, Griffin’s chief of staff, the current funding package will support the completion of Phase 1 but will not fully cover Phase 2 of the project. While reviewing renderings of the complex with Peter Klugewicz, president of the Rockville Centre Little League, and Griffin during the July 22 announcement, Heastie learned that additional funding will be needed for the tee-ball field, batting cages and playground.
Wilkins said organizers expressed hope that continued Little League fundraising efforts, combined with additional state funding in 2027, will provide the remaining money needed to complete the project.
Klugewicz said construction on Phase 1 could begin within the next year, with the entire project expected to take about two years once work begins.
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, who grew up playing at Hickey Field, called the recent announcement one of the biggest moments of his tenure.
“Today is one of the most exciting days I’ve experienced in my 15 years as mayor,” Murray said. “We owe it to our Assemblywoman Judy Griffin and the speaker who came down to make sure this money was spent right on this field. It’s going to make such a difference for our players and our families.”
The announcement comes less than two months after 17 young softball players attended the June 1 village board meeting to call for improvements to Joyce Field, the softball field adjacent to Hickey Field. Four of the softball players — Finley McLoone, Cass Rakeman, Phoebe Philbin and Zara Ali — strongly urged village officials to improve the aging facility.
Cass, 8, said she never envisioned that the girls’ appearance before the Village Board would help generate millions of dollars for the project.
“I’m really surprised that me and the other girls that spoke persuaded [others] to get Joyce to upgrade,” Cass said. “Because it’s not that good, and kids climb the fence because there’s nowhere to sit sometimes. And it’s not that safe for children.”
She added that she’s thrilled about the planned improvements.
“I’m excited that Joyce will get another set of bleachers and that it’s going to be a turf,” she said.
Finley was the first player to speak during the June meeting. After overcoming her nerves, Finley said she felt proud of what the players have been able to accomplish.
“I was really happy that we made an improvement at Joyce Field,” she said.
Finley’s mother, Kyle McLoone, a Rockville Centre Little League softball coach who helped organize the girls’ village board appearance, said the players simply wanted a field worthy of the program.
“The girls wanted their voices to be heard,” McLoone said. “They’re really just looking for a field that they can be proud to call home.”
She said improved lighting remains one of the program’s greatest needs because limited field availability restricts practices and games.
“The only other softball field that’s available to us is Klein Field over at the Rockville Centre Sports Complex on Peninsula (Boulevard), which is a wonderful field, but it’s [Molloy University’s] field,” McLoone said. “This is such an example of the community coming together.”
Klugewicz said the vision for rebuilding the complex first began about three years ago after seeing facilities throughout Nassau County receiving upgrades.
“You go to Williamsport games and travel games all over Nassau County, it just seems that everything else in Nassau County is turfed and beautiful,” he said. “This field needs some love.”
He said the $7.2 million price tag initially seemed out of reach.
“When we heard the project was $7.2 million, we almost gave up because it seemed like an impossible dream,” he said. “We saw the need for it, we sat down with the village, and again, they gave us the property to redevelop, but we had to raise the money.”
The renovated complex will benefit all players, including members of the Challenger League, an adaptive baseball program designed for children and young adults with physical and intellectual challenges.
“With our Challenger League, we have kids with different challenges that can come, and the fields will be safer for them and encourage more kids to play,” Griffin said.
