Turf Fields Pitched At Northwest Catholic

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A local high school is seeking town approval to install new, state-of-the-art artificial surface outdoor playing fields for its sports teams.

Northwest Catholic High School, located at 29 Wampanoag Drive, is asking the West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission for approval of a special use permit to convert its existing natural grass fields to a multi-sport, synthetic turf field.

The item is on the agenda of Wednesday's PZC meeting at 7 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, but the PZC is expected to simply scheduled a public hearing for the new fields for Oct. 3.

After the hearing is closed, the PZC will be able to act on the application.

According to Luke J. McCoy, a principal of the New Britain-based Kaestle Boos Associates architectural firm, Northwest Catholic, a private, Catholic high school serving students from several area towns, wants to begin work this fall.

"The conversion from natural grass to synthetic turf will provide a safer and better performing surface for the athletes, while also reducing the schools need for irrigation and maintenance," wrote McCoy to the town.

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

In addition, McCoy said, 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.

He said, if all is approved, construction would be done in time for the spring sports seasons next year.

To see the Sept. 7 West Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission agenda, click on this link.

To see the written narrative about the project, click on this link.

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