Brimfield has not had a public library in almost a decade. That will change soon. The township had a bid opening for a renovation project for a new library.
“We got one bid,” township Trustee Nic Coia said. “We’re having the architect review it at our next trustees meeting [Wednesday, July 12]. We’re anticipating accepting the bid, starting construction the following week, and then moving to the next phase of getting the Portage County Library District involved.”
Right now, the building, which was purchased by the township a year ago, stands empty. It is located behind Pizza Hut and across from the Kelso House Museum and Brimfield Historical Society on Kelso Drive.
Brimfield’s annual signature event, Brimfest 2023, will take place from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Kelso House Museum and Brimfield Historical Society at 4158 State Route 43. The event will feature live music, food vendors, local businesses, and activities for kids. There will be a parade Saturday morning that will commence on state Route 43 by the Kelso House Museum and Brimfield Historical Society, run south on state Route 43, turn east on Tallmadge Road, cut back up through the Sterling Green development and conclude at Brimfield Elementary School. That evening at 9 p.m., there will be a fireworks show that is sponsored by Meijer of Brimfield.
A rock concert featuring American Steal, which was originally scheduled to take place June 21 but was rained out, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, July 21 at the Kelso House Museum and Brimfield Historical Society. The concert, which is free to attend and will be outdoors, is the first of this summer’s annual Brimfield Concert Series.
Brimfield held its annual Township Touch-a-Truck on June 17 at Brimfield Lions Park. Taking part in the event were Field Local Schools, Portage County Parks and Recreation, Brimfield Parks and Recreation, the Brimfield Police Department, the Brimfield Road Department, the Brimfield Fire Department, the Metro SWAT and the National Guard. Food was provided by Brooks Homestyle BBQ and Kona Ice.
“We do it every Father’s Day weekend,” Coia said. “It was a great event with great attendance. Attendance gets a little bit bigger each year. We tried to create an event that fathers could take their kids to, have some fun, climb around on the trucks, just get out of the house and do something a little different for Father’s Day.”
Brimfield police officer Steve Gyoker recently retired after serving in the department for 30 years. “That’s almost as long as the police department has been in existence,” Coia said.
Gyoker, whose official last day on the job was June 30, also worked as a detective and field training officer for the department. He served on the Metro SWAT Team and the Portage County Dive Team as well.
“We wish Steve the best in his retirement,” Coia said.
For those interested in filling the open officer position, information can be found at brimfieldohio.gov.
An Aldi grocery store recently opened at 129 Tallmadge Rd. by the Cascades of Brimfield.
“There was a grand opening a couple weeks ago,” Coia said.
Ground has been broken and construction is underway for a Chase Bank in the same vicinity as Aldi on Tallmadge Road.
“Hopefully,” Coia said, “the project will be done by the end of the year.”
