Buffalo Grove village trustees agreed preliminary plans for $5 million in improvements to the athletic fields at Buffalo Grove High School should move forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Village Board voted 6-0 at its March 18 meeting to refer the project, which includes creation of new varsity softball and baseball fields equipped with brick backstops and modern safety netting, enclosed dugouts, and dedicated spectator seating. The project plan also includes a new ticket booth, new concessions building with a welcoming plaza and new restroom facilities. Also, 10 new tennis courts will be added, along with a multi-sport field with artificial turf.
“I’m so happy you’re doing things at Buffalo Grove High School,” Trustee Denice Bocek said to the architect, who was present at the meeting. Bocek said she lives near the high school
During the pre-application discussion, Nicole Woods, village director of community development, explained the project will be rolled out in three phases. Phase one will focus on the 7.2 acres in the northwest corner of the property where a new softball field, tennis courts and the artificial multi-sport turf field will be constructed this summer and fall.
Phase two develops the 6 acres in the northeast corner of the property with a new baseball field and new surface parking lot in summer and fall 2025. Phase three is still under discussion, according to architects.
Project architect Andrew Phelps, an associate principal at Chicago-based STR Partners architecture firm, explained to the Village Board that there will be extensive grading along the northwest corner where the excavation soils were dumped when the high school was built in 1972. This site typically experiences flooding making the current fields unusable after heavy rains.The grading and new stormwater management in phase one, he said, will now make the area more suitable for sports throughout the year.
During phase two, there are also plans to close the existing detention basin with a storm trap and create a new baseball field. A 14-foot fence will be installed on Arlington Heights Road and 30-foot fences will be added behind home plate on the fields. In addition, the grades and slopes along the edge of the athletic fields will be improved to aid in accessibility, according to project plans.
“This is a great plan,” said Trustee Joanne Johnson. “I like that you’re bringing it up so it’s more accessible for students, parents and visitors. The versatility – it’s very creative to have a multi- use field. Our high school kids, almost every kid is on a sport. It’s going to improve the experience at Buffalo Grove High School.”
Bocek expressed concerns about parking and noise during athletic games.
Phelps assured Bocek that studies conducted have shown the noise to be consistent with existing audibles during games.
“We’re always cognizant of the impact on neighbors but I see a plan that makes sense to me,” said Trustee Frank Cesario. “This makes the property usable all year long. This is a smart thing to do.”
Officials said a tentative phase four of the project includes the possibility of 50 additional parking spots if needed in the future, if enrollment increases. However, Phelps said in his discussions with the district, student numbers are going down in the elementary schools right now and they are not expecting an immediate increase in enrollment.
Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 – which Buffalo Grove High School is part of – has hosted neighborhood meetings and district leaders reported there were no concerns or objections to the multi-phase project, according to staff memos.
The school district is seeking an amendment to the special use of the property, approval of preliminary plans and fence variations, and securing that will start with the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“This is an exciting project for Buffalo Grove and we look forward to it coming back our way,” Village President Eric Smith said.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
