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DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN/ 3 OPTIONS--Revised
May
2005
WORKING DRAFT – NOT
APPROVED
The Dresden Athletic Fields Committee is taking an incremental
approach to creating a plan that focuses initially on how
best to leverage the fields at Hanover High School, then
evaluates what is further required, which will be satisfied
by creating a plan for some development of the Norwich parcel. We
are focusing on the high school first because, in part, public
input indicates a desire for maximizing the use of the HHS
property.
To elicit response and provoke discussion, the basic options
below are being shared with the public. The options
under consideration will continue to evolve and be refined.
These options assume that to maintain the number of athletic
fields that have been available to Dresden (see Disposition
of Fields section), the committee must account for constructing
the equivalent of 2 new fields. This new construction
is in addition to the current Merriman project, which includes
building 1 varsity-level baseball field, with an expanded
outfield area large enough to include a field hockey field,
and 1 multi-use playing field.
Each option lists first what will be done at the Hanover
High School site (HHS) and then at the Norwich Fields site
(NF). Again, this latter work at Norwich will be in
addition to Dresden’s current Merriman project.
The pros and cons listed beneath each option are largely
self-evident and will be developed further as we create a
cost-benefit analysis of each option, as well as an analysis
of safety issues.
NOTE on HHS Site: We broke apart the puzzle and considered
the following: moving track offsite to see if two fields
could be put in that space; inserting a field on land behind
the field hockey field; and adding tennis courts, as well
as other possibilities. For various reasons, these
possibilities are no longer being considered.
NOTE on Norwich Fields Site: The options listed below
are basic to the extreme. We will be developing ideas
for Norwich. In addition, we will be having ongoing
dialogues with a variety of potential community partners
with interests in enhancing the Norwich site, but the first
priority is athletic fields needs.
Option 1: Status Quo, Plus Norwich Fields
HHS: The configuration will remain as is; however,
the soccer field, football field, field hockey field, and
track will be renovated. For now, it is assumed sod
will be used.
NF: Build 2 multi-purpose fields.
Pros: Simplest engineering and design work.
Cons: Does little to upgrade facilities and does
not fully leverage the HHS property.
Option 2: Reconfiguration, Synthetic Turf
Field, Plus Norwich Fields
HHS: This option involves two major components for
HHS, which include expanding the size of the current field
hockey field and “flip-flopping” the football
and soccer/lacrosse fields.
- Raise the existing field hockey field approximately ten
feet using donated fill, which will create a playing space
large enough for any sport. Install a synthetic turf
field that has lines configured for multiple sports, including,
for example, field hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer. Usage
of synthetic turf equates to approximately 2 grass fields. Install
lights at synthetic turf to maximize usage.
- "Flip-flop" and renovate existing football
and soccer / lacrosse game fields. Because there is more
space to work with where the current football field is,
this will allow for a more traditional sized soccer field
- the existing one is undersized. Build a new track
around the new soccer field. Current soccer/lacrosse
game field becomes a multi-purpose field.
NF: Build 1 multi-purpose field.
Pros: Turf field with lights will increase field
availability and usage dramatically and therefore require
fewer fields to be constructed. Turf fields require dramatically
less maintenance and can be used everyday by multiple teams,
regardless of weather. New fields for other sports will be
much improved and create a safer facility for games and practices.
Will be able to use turf field immediately.
Cons: Over the short term, this will be more
costly than Option 1.
Option 3: Reconfiguration, Renovation of
Field Hockey Field, Plus Norwich Fields
HHS: This option also involves two major components, which
include expanding the size of the current field hockey field
and “flip-flopping” the football and soccer/lacrosse
fields.
- Raise the existing field hockey field approximately ten
feet, which will create a playing space large enough for
any sport. Install a sod field that can be used for
multiple sports, including, for example, field hockey,
football, lacrosse, and soccer.
- "Flip-flop" and renovate existing football
and soccer / lacrosse game fields. Because there is more
space to work with where the current football field is,
this will allow for a more traditional sized soccer field
- the existing one is undersized. Build a new track
around the new soccer field. Current soccer/lacrosse
game field becomes a multi-purpose field.
NF: Build 2 multi-purpose fields.
Pros: New fields for other sports will be
much improved and create a safer facility for games and practices.
Cons: This will be more costly than Option 1 and initial
thumbnail analysis suggests it will be more costly than Option
2 due to the higher costs of site preparation in Norwich
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