Stonington—Voters will be asked to approve a lease agreement for the long-delayed Mystic River Boathouse Park between the Town of Stonington and Stonington Community Rowing Inc. in the coming weeks.

The Town Meeting vote is expected to be held on Sept. 12 at Stonington High School.

Development of the park on Route 27, which will serve as the home for the Stonington High School rowing team and the community rowing center, has faced delays due to the need for environmental cleanup, a requirement to preserve the historic “Lovelace” home on the property and controversy over its design. The park is projected to open in fall of 2023, with environmental remediation set to begin in spring 2023.

The proposed 25-year lease between the town and SCRI, a non-profit organization, states that all construction and improvements of the boathouse and rowing docks, will be paid for by the rowing center and that the town will take ownership of them once construction is complete.

First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough said at Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting that “they’re basically gifting it (the boathouse) to the town.”

In exchange, the town will lease the property to the organization for $1 a year for the duration of the lease term, with an option to renew for another 25 years, and will maintain the park property, exterior of boathouse and historic house, including restrooms, and provide the rowing center with the use of the park and access to the Mystic River during practices, races and other events.

The town will also be responsible for capital repairs such as to the roof, water and sewer systems, but will not be required to exceed $25,000 in repairs per fiscal year.

The draft lease states that use of the public boat ramp and public dock will be free, however the boathouse, rowing docks, boats and boating equipment will be for the exclusive use of the organization members and any community participants of their programs.

The fee-based programs will consist of recreational and adaptive rowing programs in addition to a competitive program.

The rowing center will also be able to hold small gatherings and rowing events, as well as various fundraising activities without first obtaining a permit from the town.

Representatives from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, SCRI, Mystic Seaport Museum and Stonington Parks and Recreation will hold an informal meeting to discuss progress of the project at 105 Greenmanville Ave. (Latitude 41) on Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m.

Residents with questions are encouraged to reach out to the first selectman’s office ahead of the anticipated September 12 town meeting vote.