BRUNSWICK

Neighbors of Bowdoin College’s Whittier Field and the school remain at odds about the amount of activity and light curfews proposed for the renovated athletic field as the project heads to the planning board.

“It’s not a change in degree, but a change in kind,” said District 5 Councilor Dan Harris, asking rhetorically how many in the room not part of the neighborhood would like to live there, with the likely increase in activity. Harris said he hopes what residents have said will be taken into account.

“This needs strict regulation,” he said of the proposals.

The staff review committee this week met in order to sure-up findings of fact for recommendation to the planning board, which meets Tuesday.

Representatives of Bowdoin College and neighbors who are concerned the proposed renovation project will negatively impact the quality of life of the neighborhood have met several times to negotiate agreements surrounding use of the field.

Bowdoin estimates construction will begin next month for the two-phase, $8 million renovation that will include lighting, a new track, and turf field at the complex.

Whittier Field, built in 1903, is a day-use facility, which will change this fall if the project continues forward. Some warned families may leave the neighborhood, opening it up to apartment housing which would be occupied only by college students.

“It would be the beginning of the neighborhood falling apart,” said Bowker Street resident Charlie Priest.

The renovation of the field includes:

• Replacing the existing grass field with artificial turf and adding lights, seating and a new press box;

• Expansion of the current six-lane track to the eight lanes required to host championship track meets;

• Restoration of the original footprint of Hubbard Grandstand through the removal of bleachers;

• Construction of a one-story support building that will house locker, training and equipment rooms and public restrooms.

The height of the lighting is proposed at 80 to 90 feet, and the foot candle — the unit of measure for light intensity — has been reduced from 75 to 50, Bowdoin Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Tresaurer Matthew Orlando said last week.

At 9 p.m., the lights are to be shut off, with the exception of 10 night games per year, in which case the lights will be out at 9:30 p.m., with dim cleanup lighting on until 10 p.m. Most activity on the field will end by 7:30 p.m., according to Bowdoin representatives.

There will be no change to location and volume levels of the current sound system, including the use of music, with the exception of music before the start of lacrosse games, which have been added for the use of the field. Men’s lacrosse will be added to the schedule that already includes track and field and football. The project plan indicates the design allows the use of the field by Bowdoin soccer teams. Intramural and club sports may also use the facility for an estimated two nights a week, with those games ending at 9 p.m.

Public gate access will be limited to Pine Street with the exception of an emergency entrance on Bowker Street. Bus traffic, drop-offs and deliveries will also remain on Pine Street.

Bowdoin spokesman Scott Hood said last week the college began planning for the renovation in May 2016. Bowdoin trustees are expected to review and vote on the second phase of the project in May which, if approved, is expected to be completed by fall 2018, according to the college. Hood said phase two is still in the planning process.

One resident stood to say she loves the neighborhood, and although she acknowledges everybody must adapt and live with change, she feels a sense of dread with this development.

Some neighbors, living on Bowker, Pine and Mclellan streets, say they’re concerned over how light pollution, noise and traffic will impact the area. Also concerning are new club and intramural sports uses of the field — which would mean additional games with lights, noise and music during the week.

Mark Battle, a Bowker Street resident, said it is unclear how many nights a week the field could be used. He asked if the college would consider shutting lights off during the summer months at 5 or 6 p.m., and 7 or 8 p.m. during the academic year, instead of 9 p.m.

Orlando said the college is committed to mitigating the impact on the neighborhood, but said he wants to keep the time limits simple, and easy to monitor. He called a limit of 7 p.m. unreasonable, and suggested they meet again in a year to revisit the issue if the field renovation and use decreases property values.

Bowdoin made concessions to their original plan after consulting with residents, proposing to have lights out at 9 p.m., with the expectation of 10 nights a year in the case of unforeseen circumstances, such as overtime, or a delay, that cause a game to go on longer, which would result in lights out at 10 p.m. The college expects scheduling will include three to four evening home lacrosse games during the season, and pick-up lacrosse games twice a week during the winter. The college will also not allow music at practices, which will end by 6:45 p.m.

Some residents remained uncomfortable with the 9 p.m. curfew, saying it is too late a time, especially for families raising young children.

The planning board will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 at the town office.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com

College project

THE RENOVATION of the field includes:

• Replacing the existing grass field with artificial turf and adding lights, seating and a new press box;

• Expansion of the current six-lane track to the eight lanes required to host championship track meets;

• Restoration of the original footprint of Hubbard Grandstand through the removal of bleachers;

• Construction of a one-story support building that will house locker, training and equipment rooms and public restrooms.