EDC Considers Endorsing Recreational Sports Complex

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Apr 20, 2007 12:00 am

By Andrew Gorosko

Economic Development Commission (EDC) members are considering whether to endorse a development groupâs proposal to create a major indoor/outdoor private recreational sports club complex, known as Newtown Sports Center, at 90 Mt Pleasant Road, west of Whippoorwill Hill Road.

Representatives of the development group met with four EDC members on April 17 to present their proposal to the town agency, which is an advisory body that guides and promotes local economic development.

The projected overall value of the multiphase complex would be approximately $30 million, of which the first development phase would represent approximately $19 million.

EDC Vice Chairman Robert Rau said that all current seven EDC members would discuss the matter before deciding whether to endorse the proposed Newtown Sports Center as a form of economic development. Mr Rau said he expects the EDC to again discuss the sports complex proposal when it meets on May 15.

Mr Rau said that EDC members would review financial documents to be presented by the development group before deciding whether the project would get EDC backing. Mr Rau stressed that the only aspect of such a project that the EDC considers is economic development.

On April 5, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously approved a set of zoning rule changes requested by the development group, which will allow the group to submit a P&Z application for a proposed sports club complex. The developer would require many town approvals before such a sports complex could be built.

The zoning rule changes approved by the P&Z would allow recreational sports uses including: indoor and/or outdoor golf courses, dance studios, health and exercise facilities, racquetball, squash, basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, track and field, swimming pools, ice skating rinks, plus any other recognized collegiate sports. Seating for spectators would be allowed.

Engineer/architect Peder Scott presented plans for the project to EDC members. Mr Scott is a partner in the sports complex venture with Bill Hoadley of Brookfield, Mark Christo of Monroe, and Andrew Bazos of Bridgewater.

Mr Scott said the group wants to create a modern recreational sports facility on a sloping 33.4-acre site in a M2-A (Industrial) zone, which the group has an option to purchase.

âWe need sewer service,â Mr Scott said of the developersâ desire to discharge wastewater from the complex into the Hawleyville sewer system. Sewer service would require that a sewer line be extended eastward to the site from the current terminus of the sewer system, which is located at the driveway entrance to The Homesteads at Newtown at 166 Mt Pleasant Road. Also, a sewage pumping station would need to be constructed near the intersection of Mt Pleasant Road and Hawleyville Road.

Mr Scott noted that the town built the Hawleyville sewer system to promote economic development.

Fred Hurley, the town public works director, said earlier on April 17, that the development groupâs interest in extending sewer service to the sports complex site has caused the Water and Sewer Authority (WSA) to consider whether it is the appropriate time to extend the Hawleyville sewer system.

Depending upon the specific sewer construction involved, it could cost anywhere between $2.5 million and $4.5 million to extend sewer service to the site and construct a sewage pumping station, he said. Funding for such a project could include contributions from the developer, grants, the town, and the WSA, he said.

The developer has not yet submitted a formal application for sewer service, Mr Hurley said.

At the April 17 EDC session, Mr Scott said that if the sports complex project were completely built, it would produce an annual $726,000 in local tax revenue.

Mr Scott said the developer could construct a large-scale septic system on the site for waste disposal, but would prefer having a connection to the Hawleyville sewer system.

Besides providing the proposed sports complex with sewer service, a sewer line extension would open up that general area to development, he said.

The Mt Pleasant Road location for a sports complex is a suitable one because it is relatively close to Exit 9 of Interstate 84, Mr Scott said. The site is a better site than other ones that the development group has considered, he said.

A traffic study is being conducted to gauge the projectâs traffic effects on the area, he said.

Several residents who live near the area where the sports complex would be constructed attended the EDC session.

Pat Napolitano of 13 Whippoorwill Hill Road asked Mr Scott who would cover the costs of extending a sewer line to the sports complex site. Mr Scott responded that it is unclear how such construction would be funded.

Mr Napolitano asked whether Whippoorwill Hill Road residents would have access to sewer service for their homes if a sewer line were extended for an adjacent sports complex.

Also, Mr Napolitano asked whether the developer would seek property tax breaks from the town for a sports complex. Mr Scott responded that no such tax breaks would be sought.

The first phase of the multiphase sports complex project would include the construction of a 175,000-square-foot building to house multiple recreational sports uses, the construction of two adjacent outdoor athletic fields, plus the construction of an adjacent 40,000-square-foot office building.

Additional future phases would include a 60,000-square-foot building for office space, warehousing, and recreational uses, as well as a 48,000-square-foot office building.

If the complete project were built, the buildings at the site would enclose 323,000 square feet of floor space.

The People Of Newtown Deserve Facts, Not Speculation

Bruce Walczak On Leadership

Community Input Needed On Proposed Metal Detectors At NHS

Elections Have Consequences XIII

Discusses Smog

I have to say, I don’t understand how this project could be considered “morally wrong.” That kind of language feels more like obstruction than constructive dialogue. What is morally wrong is leaving seniors in our community without enough housing options. Right now, Newtown does not have adequate senior housing, and the few developments that exist, like Naunawag Meadows, already have waiting lists. As for the comment that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” that simply isn’t accurate. The system is broken when residents who’ve lived here their whole lives cannot find an affordable and appropriate place to age in town. Responsible development that balances environmental concerns, safety improvements (such as traffic calming measures and sidewalks), and the needs of our seniors is exactly the kind of planning Newtown should be doing. This isn’t about wanting or not wanting something in one’s backyard—it’s about building a community that takes care of its people. Please don't get scared away by the nimby mob.

Planning & Zoning Continues Discussion Of 12 Cold Spring Road

It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

Borough Board of Burgesses Continues Traffic Safety Discussion

John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

Late Night Prank Gone Wrong

First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

<< Aug 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
27	28	29	30	31	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

EDC Considers Endorsing Recreational Sports Complex

Leave a Reply Cancel reply