Multi-Sports Complex Plan is Unveiled for Berlin

Washington Management, LLC has proposed building a new $20 million multi-sports complex on a 58-acre parcel in Berlin.

The proposed complex will be a state of the art facility designed to accommodate multiple sports within its indoor and outdoor venues. The cornerstone of the project will be a multi-level, 265,000 square foot indoor facility that will include two full-sized multi-purpose fields for soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey, rugby, and full baseball infields; three collegiate-sized basketball courts; a health and fitness facility; a running track; four batting / pitching cages and baseball training area; a climbing wall, and a full service, sports-themed restaurant. The proposal also includes four full-sized outdoor turf fields including a lighted competition field in a stadium setting.

Here is the statement released by Washington Management:

“We believe that there is a demand for a new, state of the art, multi-sports complex in central Connecticut and we chose Berlin as the location for this project because it is at the geographic center of the State and the location is on the Berlin Turnpike, Route5/15, one mile south of Route 9 and with convenient access from both I-91 and I-84. The Berlin Sports Complex will be a family oriented multi-generational facility that will provide fitness, training and sports activities such as soccer, basketball, baseball, football and lacrosse. We will emphasize soccer and basketball, but accommodate a wide variety of sports. In order to help children get an early start in developing athletic motor skills, we are including a pre-school which will emphasize good sports education. A high quality restaurant will also be included in this facility.

The proposed site of the Berlin Sports Complex is a 58 acre site on the Berlin Turnpike south of Meadow Lane. According to Mr. Addi, “we have assembled 4 parcels to allow enough space to accommodate our development program while providing primary access to the property from the Berlin Turnpike. We will acquire 3 parcels at the southeast portion of the site specifically to secure access to the traffic light at the intersection of the Berlin Turnpike and Spruce Brook Road. In addition to providing access to the traffic light, these parcels will allow us to develop an ancillary building or buildings of about 16,000 square feet to house complementary uses such as a coffee shop and retail stores.”

Mr. Addi indicated that, “we are at the stage in the development process at which we are announcing our intentions and we will start to seek needed regulatory approvals. The first step in the approval process is an application to the Berlin Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. We expect to submit this application by mid-December. We are also planning to hold public informational meetings to share our plans with the neighborhood and community.

Commenting on the announcement Berlin Mayor Rachel Rochette said, “the Berlin Sports Complex project is a major opportunity for the Town to revitalize the southern part of the Berlin Turnpike. This sports, recreation and fitness facility would be accessible to residents that now rely on similar sports facilities in Farmington, Glastonbury and elsewhere. We appreciate that Mr. Addi and his development group have chosen Berlin as the location for their $20+ million complex and that he has offered to communicate with our residents at public information sessions. Based on the scale of the development the project will be duly evaluated by local Commissions including the Inland Wetlands and Planning and Zoning Commission. I am excited about the potential of this project to directly benefit the Town and to help stimulate additional development on the Berlin Turnpike south of Route 9.”

Image: Google maps.