Bethel approves plan for volleyball gym from Ridgefield High coach: ‘Time for our own place’
Danbury News Times Article written by: Rob Ryser, Staff Writer April 12, 2025
BETHEL – A Bethel-raised veteran volleyball coach who led the Ridgefield boys team to the 2024 state championship earned approval for her plans for a 16,000-square-foot volleyball training facility and multisport gymnasium on the Danbury border.
“I have run CT Stars volleyball club out of (Danbury’s) Wooster School for about 12 years, and it was time for our own place; we have been growing,” the coach, Lidania Cibere, said during a public hearing last week before Bethel’s Planning and Zoning Commission. “Living in Bethel and driving to Danbury is not far, but once this opportunity arose with a building right in my hometown, I just thought it would be great … to do it right here and to give back.” Land use commission members liked everything they heard about Cibere’s plan to run an indoor multisport complex at a Grassy Plain Street commercial park that will offer basketball and pickleball games when the volleyball club isn’t on the courts.
“I appreciate the effort you’re putting into it and the thought ... it shows that you know what you are doing,” said Paul Shanley, the commission chair, shortly before members gave their unanimous approval. “I appreciate the investment in our town and wish you the best of luck.”
“This is another positive thing for Bethel to have and something for the kids to do,” said Robert Legnard, a commission member. “I think it’s a good plan and something that is well thought out.” “Do the kids come from all areas?” asked Kitty Grant, the commission’s vice chair.
“They do,” Cibere said. “Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield … New Fairfield ... Greenwich.”
Jeffrey Jones, the only member of the public to speak during the April 8 hearing, said he wanted to be sure Cibere knew there were adults who were also interested in the gym. “I am simply here to advocate for pickleball. We’ve been looking for a place to play indoors,” Jones said, turning his comments to Cibere. “You mentioned pickleball.” “I did mention pickleball,” Cibere said with a smile.
The approved building will be the new home for Cibere’s 300-member Stars Lab youth volleyball club. The new gym being built by Danbury-based JAR Associates will have amenities, including a locker room, a coaches’ lounge, a parent viewing area and a weight room.
“I grew up playing sports at Bethel High School. I was captain of the volleyball, basketball and tennis team, which I am really proud of,” Cibere told the commission. “The kids make fun of me and say, ‘You don’t play sports,’ and I’m like, ‘I did back in the day – I was a Wildcat. I wore the maroon cap.’”
Cibere, who has been the varsity boys and girls volleyball coach at Ridgefield High School for 16 years, also led the boys to state championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Cibere is launching the new facility with her husband, Stefan Cibere, who played volleyball in Europe.
“I’m super excited to start this project,” she told the commission.
