Coleman Country continues to expand

Long-time campers of Coleman Country Day Camp will be in for a big surprise upon their return to camp next summer.

The camp, on Babylon Turnpike in Freeport, recently underwent multi-million-dollar renovations, according to Camp Director Ross Coleman. “Every year we put significant amounts into our facility to make sure we have the best facility out there,” said Coleman.

The already expansive facility, which is equipped with soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds and swimming pools, recently added a synthetic-turf field totaling 40,000 square feet.

The field, which Coleman described as “the game-changer” among the renovations, sports the Coleman Country logo in the middle, and is painted with a regulation-size soccer field for children ages 12 and under, as well as a baseball field and a Wiffle ball field.

Surrounding the giant field are lights that were installed by Musco Lighting, the same company that installed the lights at Citifield, home of the New York Mets.

In addition, water cannons that can hold thousands of gallons of water have been placed at each corner of the field, according to Coleman. The cannons shoot water as far as 150 feet and help maintain the turf. “It’s going to be a water wonderland where everyone’s getting soaked, having a blast and just being a kid,” said Coleman.

Last, stadium seating has been added alongside the field that can seat up to 200 people.

“This is the authentic experience,” said Coleman. “This is the quality that you would get in a professional stadium, everything from the turf to the lights to the seating. The only difference is it’s right here on the South Shore.”

Construction began the week after camp ended this past August, said Coleman. Crews worked seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to get it completed.

Coleman, who works with youth groups such as the Merrick and Bellmore little leagues, Merrick Police Activity League, and East Meadow and Oceanside soccer clubs, plans to continue sharing the fields with them during their respective seasons.