CHICOPEE
– A businessman who wants to build a private indoor and outdoor sports
arena is hoping to overcome objections from the City Council and
officials at Westover Air Reserve Base.
Donald Cameron III, of Amherst, is proposing turning the former Post
Office warehouse at 123 First St. into a sports facility with seven
indoor fields, a fitness center and a basketball court that would be
available for rent. He wants to construct at least two more fields
outside.
“All of the communities in Western Massachusetts do not have enough
playing fields,” said Cameron, a painting contractor who has coached
teams and whose father has a long history as a youth sports volunteer in
Ludlow.
But officials at Westover Air Reserve base are objecting to the
proposal, saying it is located in the Accident Potential Zone, which is
in a runway flight path and has a statistically higher risk of
accidents.
“We are very concerned that this proposed land use would be
incompatible with aviation operations at Westover ... and that it would
present an increased risk to public safety,” Col. Steven D. Vautrain,
commander of Westover’s 439th Airlift Wing, said in a letter.
Some low-density uses are acceptable in the zone, but a sports arena
has potential to draw large groups and would not be recommended, he
said.
After a meeting that included testimony from Westover officials and
Cameron, the City Council’s zoning committee voted 7-0 against granting
Cameron the special permit he would need.
The full City Council has delayed voting on the permit.
“It is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. I love soccer,”
said City Councilor John L. Vieau, chairman of the zoning committee.
Vieau said that as a parent he understands fields are needed, but also realizes that Westover officials and area lawmakers are struggling to keep jobs
at the base in light of proposed Pentagon cutbacks that could reduce
the number of planes at Westover from 16 to eight in 2016.
Councilor Timothy S. McLellan said he liked the idea, but said it had
to be balanced with the fact that Westover is the city’s largest
employer, with 2,333 reservists and 838 civilian workers.
“Westover is our bread and butter,” he said.
Cameron said he wants to divide the about 50,000 square-foot building
into six indoor areas that would include four small soccer fields to be
used for younger children. The plan also calls for adding an inflatable
building to hold three more fields.
With 40 acres surrounding the building, there is room for at least four
fields, but he said he would start by making two with artificial turf.
The business would employee at least five people full time and as many
as 30 part time. It would pay an estimated $100,000 in annual property
taxes, Cameron said.
He recently hired Chicopee lawyer Thomas Murphy to assist him in winning the permits.
“I am looking into some fact-finding. I know Westover is at a delicate point in their negotiations,” Murphy said.
The zones allow recreational uses and have a formula of not allowing
more than 25 people an acre. With the complex spread over 40 acres, that
would allow 1,000 people at a time, more people than would use the
facility, Murphy said.
“There won’t be anyone at night and no one there during school hours,” he said.
Murphy said he hopes to be able to discuss the issue more with Westover
officials and the City Council and try to come up with an agreement
that would allow the complex to be built safely.
“It would provide a good service and is on the edge of the (zone).
There are a lot of reasons I think it is worthy to take another look,”
he said.
Source: http://www.masslive.com
No comments:
Post a Comment