Proposed Sports Facility on Ice House Road in Early Stages of Discussion

The Medfield Board of Selectmen discussed a proposed sports facility development on a 2.8 acre site owned by the town on Ice House Road at its meeting Tuesday night. 

Attorney Neil Roche, representing Medfield resident Robert Borrelli, spoke to the selectmen about their proposal and what they plan to do with the site. Although the proposal is in its early stages of development, it was met with some opposition.

In a memorandum received by town officials on June 2 and obtained on Selectmen Osler Peterson's personal blog, Borrelli plans to develop a 120,000 square foot building on the site. Cost of construction is estimated between $5 to 6 million.

A concept plan of the proposed site also was shown during the meeting. It shows plans moving forward to develop a portion of land — about 2.8 acres — currently leased to the Kingsbury Club Medfield, Inc., and another portion of land not currently leased by anyone — about 11.2 acres.

"More than a year ago, Bob [Borrelli] and I met with [the] Kingsbury Club and we did a lot of looking into this land," Roche said.  

If developments begin as proposed, Borelli plans to construct the sports facility to host soccer, lacrosse and basketball activities, Roche said. Showers, locker rooms and bathrooms also will be included during construction. 

Mel Seibolt, parks and recreation department commissioner, scrutinized the proposal, saying the plan could possibly upset future programming and events the department might have in the future thanks to the magnitude of the proposed project.

A few years ago, Seibolt added, the department proposed developments similar to constructing new athletic facilities. The plan never moved forward.

"It's ironic now that a third party proposes a similar [plan]," he said.

Because the proposal just reached the selectmen's attention, discussions will be ongoing.

"[Touring the land] never got to the point where we approached the Board of Selectmen to start the bidding process," Roche said.

Developments will continue with this project as the town's planning board, zoning board of appeals and the conservation commission must review the project.

At this time, nothing is set in stone and any hopes to have the land developed upon quickly before more discussions are "a little optimistic," Selectman Ann Thompson said.