Synthetic Turf, Other Renovations Planned For North Andover High School Fields

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Plans to renovate existing athletic facilities at North Andover High School were discussed at a recent Planning Board meeting.

The plans call for the installation of multipurpose synthetic fields, reconstruction of existing tennis courts, drainage improvements, additional athletic lighting, and wetland restoration.

Kyle Rowan, project manager for Gale Associates, said at the Tuesday meeting that the project will be an upgrade and redevelopment of existing facilities. The current baseball fields have natural grass with a clay infield.

The new synthetic turf will cover roughly 135,000 square feet, or about three acres, according to Rowan. The lifespan of the turf is expected to be about 10 to 14 years.

The six tennis courts have been renovated only one other time in their 30-year existence. The courts will not be lit, according to the new plans. They will include striping for pickleball play.

The composition of the synthetic turf was one subject of discussion at the meeting. Rowan said it will have a two-inch pile height infilled with recycled rubber mixed with clean sand used as a ballast.

During the public hearing portion, some neighbors expressed concerns about the upgraded lighting at the field inside the track. Plans call for four 90-foot light poles, which Rowan said will have upgrades to reduce glare and spillage.

The board is conducting a limited site plan review under the Dover Amendment, which limits the amount of input the board can provide on projects in certain categories including schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations.

The public hearing was continued to March 18.