UConn Proposing Golf Practice Facility In Mansfield, Public Meeting On Tap Tuesday

STORRS, CT — A public hearing is on tap for Wednesday to present plans for a new practice facility for the University of Connecticut golf team.

The spot for the facility would be a university-owned parcel at 986 Storrs Road.

Currently, the Husky golf program, which consists of nine players and three coaches, has no practice facility nearby, unless one counts a simulator inside Gampel Pavilion. UConn does have access to some ranges across the state.

"Having a dedicated indoor and outdoor practice facility would centralize activities and reduce travel time for student-athletes, while increasing levels of competition and recruitment," school officials said.

According to scoping documents, the proposed facility will be built on part of a 22-acre parcel located about 1.5 miles south of campus at the intersection of Storrs Road (state Route 195) and East Road. An existing home with associated outbuildings and frontage along Storrs Road occupy about an acre of the parcel and it will all remain in place, according to the project outline. The golf facility would take up about 7 acres to the east of the residential buildings, which were previously used as a plant nursery with access from East Road, according to the project outline.

Plans are for the school to construct a new building for the team, parking for less than 20 vehicles, an unlit practice range capable of handing drives in excess of 300 yards and adjacent chipping and putting areas.

Gated access would be from East Road.

The proposed building would measure about 6,000 square feet and would include office space, lockers, restrooms and showers, equipment storage and repair space, a flex space/team room and indoor putting and simulation areas, according to the project outline.

The facility would be restricted to university use and not be open to the public.

UConn will incorporate comments from Tuesday's public scoping meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Participants must register in advance at:

• https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/308037430594686046

After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the meeting, including an option to join by phone.

A map of the project area can be viewed at:

• https://authoring.ct.gov/website/-/media/2f0bb7a0443c47bc916c7ff05b97f5f0.ashx

Written comments from the public will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16.

A recording of the public scoping meeting will be linked on this page by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, Jan. 9.

Written comments and/or requests for Public Scoping meeting accommodations or materials should be sent to: Ian Dann, Sr. Project Manager; University Planning, Design & Construction; 3 Discovery Drive, U-6038, Storrs, CT 06269; or ian.dann@uconn.edu.

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to:

• https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/

The next step is UConn officials making a determination on whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or deciding the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act.

A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.