Butler Township officials plan next phase of Pullman Recreation Complex
BUTLER TWP — With two fields already constructed, township officials are moving to finish the Pullman Recreation Complex in the coming months.
Butler Township Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday, March 3, to recommend approval of land development for a second phase of the complex. The project will complete the complex and fill the township’s available land around Armco and Hollywood drives.
Before work can begin, the plan must receive final approval from the township’s board of commissioners.
Township manager Tom Knights presented his plan, including two new fields and a support building to accommodate the newest full-size field. He said the biggest thing that had changed was the new full-size field, which was completed last year.
“We had a lot of conversations with the different rugby associations. We made a move to enlarge the field to accommodate full-size regulation rugby. So what that ultimately did was make the field, in comparison to an international soccer field, 40 feet wider and 10 yards longer,” he said.
As a result, the two other fields to be constructed at the complex are a dedicated flag football field and a smaller youth field, which have been shifted further away from the new field to accommodate the reduced space.
An asphalt walking trail is also planned for the outer perimeter of the complex.
As for the other side of the property along Armco Drive, Knights presented a plan for a 220-space parking lot including eight spaces specifically for buses. He said the complex already had issues with parking, especially for buses during some rugby games.
“Even though we’ve been accounting for parking around the perimeter of the entire complex, our best use over here is to address additional parking,” he said.
As for the support building, it will feature concessions, a press room, four locker rooms, offices and bathrooms. Knights said the building will also include a loft area for cameras to record games.
He said he hopes to have the building out to bid after the commissioners approve it with the goal of starting construction as soon as possible. He said he anticipates work finishing by fall.
As for parking, Knights said his hope is to put the project out to bid in May with the goal of having the lot completed by September.
