West Hartford PZC OK's NW Catholic's New Field Proposal

WEST HARTFORD, CT — After weeks of delays, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford now has the necessary town approvals to upgrade its athletic fields.

The West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission Dec. 5 approved a special use permit for the Catholic high school to convert its natural grass athletic fields into multi-sport, synthetic turf fields.

The vote was unanimous.

Prior to the special permit vote, the PZC — acting as the town's inland wetland and watercourses agency — also unanimously approved a wetlands permit for the project.

This is necessary because the work is within 150 feet of a wetlands area, though no direct impact is proposed.

Northwest Catholic, located at 29 Wampanoag Drive, first applied for the proposal in August, but various delays and project revisions pushed the approval process throughout the fall.

With the early December approval, Northwest Catholic can now begin work on the project, though it was hoping to get started earlier this school year.

Like the current grass field, the new artificial turf field would serve the school's football, soccer, lacrosse and baseball teams.

In addition, Northwest Catholic plans to undertake multiple stadium enhancements to improve the site, including new baseball dugouts, bullpens, batting cages and storage as well as new bleachers.

School officials were hoping to have all the work done in time for the spring sports season, though its not certain if that will be the case given the delay in PZC approval.

Both the special permit and wetlands permit approvals came with several conditions that are standard with such land-use board actions.

For the minutes of the Dec. 5 West Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For more information on Northwest Catholic High School athletics, click on this link.

From Sept. 29: 'Catholic HS Turf Field Plan In West Hartford Nears Decision'