Calverton Reborn

By Andrew Ehinger

The Enterprise Park at Calverton or EPCAL has been the focus of much debate since 1994 when it was given to the Town of Riverhead from the US Navy. The site was the former Grumman plant where some of the navy's best fighters were completed. Now it's home to several small businesses, researchers, and a sky diving company. Its future however is unclear.

For years the town has debated over what should be built on the site while environmentalists have fought for preserving the land, part of which is in the protected Pine Barrens area.

There have been some notable proposals, including a race track and a sports resort, in addition to a business park. Currently the Sports Resort and industrial park have been given the green light from the Town to complete a state environmental review. Now two more companies have expressed interest in some of the land at the 3000 acre facility.

Thomas The Tank Engine wants to lay tracks at Calverton. Investors from England are eying 75 acres at EPCAL to build their first ThomasLand in the US. Currently there is a ThomasLand amusement park near Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Then the folks at Long Island based Cousin's Paintball are taking aim at EPCAL too. It's co-owner, Dean Del Prete, tells me he'd like to lease 50 acres at the site to open another paintball field. He says the operation would be environmentally friendly since he wouldn't build any permanent structures, wouldn't need electricity, and the paintballs are non-toxic.

Riverhead Town officials say they have not received any formal proposals from either ThomasLand or Cousin's Paintball, but expect to meet with both groups very soon.

Environmentalists are unsure about all of these different companies coming together at EPCAL. They say they want to learn more about how each company will interact with each other, and, of course, the environment.

Comments

[Kenny]

I think it would be great if Cousin's Paintball set up another filed on Long Island. Me and my cousin have been playing at there field on and off from the day thay opened it. They run good and fair games at there field. they have a great big game every year. they bring from Canada all theway from Florida. I Know Dean Del Pete when he just owned a small army navy store on udall rd. He was a great guy than and good one today. Dean maybe you go a little bigger and try to do one of those big tourtoment up hear and bring ESPN hear so Long island can show them how to do it right. Seeyou on the field.