New athletic field planned next to Mount Prospect Ice Arena

A new athletic field for soccer, lacrosse and other sports will replace a vacant lot next to the Mount Prospect Ice Arena, under a plan approved by village trustees this week.

Nick Papanicholas Jr., whose Nicholas and Associates built the ice arena and owns both properties, plans to install artificial turf similar to high school athletic fields on the site at 430 Lakeview Court.

"Our goal here is to provide an amenity for the community," he said. "Not only do I see hockey clubs, lacrosse clubs, soccer clubs utilizing this, I see the park district utilizing this facility."

The field will be open from 7 a.m. to dark, but could at some point include lighting that would keep it open until 10 p.m. Papanicholas noted that the playing surface will not be regulation size, so it will not host official games or include seating for spectators.

Neighbors speaking before an earlier planning and zoning commission meeting, which ended with the panel unanimously recommending the plan, voiced concerns about stormwater drainage and the impact of potential lighting.

Community Development Director Bill Cooney said village staff examined the site and determined neighbors would not be affected by drainage issues. The artificial turf would have a storm drainage system, he added.

Papanicholas pledged to be a good neighbor.

"I will be all over any potential issue. I'm there probably five times a week with my kids," he said, adding he would install close to $50,000 in landscaping to address neighbors' concerns.

One of the neighbors, Lynn Niezyniecki, thanked Papanicholas for trying to work the group, but said concerns remain, including late hours and the addition of lights.

Mayor Arlene Juracek said the neighborhood would be notified if Papanicholas seeks village approval for lights. The tall trees and the berm that will be part of the landscaping should shield neighbors from noise and visibility, she added.

"I can't say there is not going to be any noise impact, but my gut feeling is that the type of facility that this is will not generate a great deal of noise," Trustee Michael Zadel added.