Greenwich Athletic Group Releases Proposal For New GHS Bleachers

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Athletic Foundation this month released a proposal for new bleachers at Greenwich High School's Cardinal Stadium, a plan that the group believes addresses all relevant concerns for the facility.

Called the Plan F "Under the Bleachers" option, the proposal would replace "the recently condemned and currently 'shored up' bleachers at Greenwich High Schools Cardinal Stadium. Click here to view the proposal and a site plan for the southern campus.

The bleachers bleachers temporarily were closed last spring for repairs to bring them up to code, according to school district officials.

From the GAF announcement:

The proposed new bleachers and team rooms would include home and away side 'flex rooms' that could accommodate teams during game breaks, pre and post game equipment change, teams meetings, storage and safe cover during weather events. Referee rooms, first aid and additional permanent storage would also be included. The away side bleachers would provide bathroom access for baseball practices and games as well as in season storage for equipment. They will also be situated to allow for the track to be expanded to 8 lanes at a future date.

The new bleachers would be ADA compliant with wheelchair access on both ends. An ADA compliant elevator would allow access to the 72' wide press box and elevated wheelchair viewing areas. The bathrooms located under the bleachers will be ADA compliant. 17 Handicap parking spots will be located directly behind the bleachers and will eliminate the need for golf cart transportation to the stadium from the main parking lot.

The existing road/driveway from Route 1 that leads to the footbridge will be expanded to provide egress to Fire, Police and EMS. The footbridge would be replaced with a wider bridge to enable emergency vehicle access to the entire campus.

Modern LED light fixtures will replace the decades old lighting using the existing light poles. This will increase the quality of lighting for night events and decrease light pollution while creating a much safer practice and game setting.

A food truck court will be located on the east side of the bleachers slightly elevated south of the existing brick storage building. This area will include water and electrical hookups and would eliminate the need for noisy, gas powered generators.

A proper stadium entrance similar in style to the existing brick storage building will be included and include lighting, electricity and internet access for phone based ticketing.

GAF strongly believes this plan covers all concerns voiced by the Board of Education, Greenwich High School, ADA advocates, and most importantly our high school athletes.

Our site plan leaves the southeast wetlands area untouched, has a minimal need for FAR, has very little green space disruption and most importantly addresses all safety concern at Cardinal Stadium and the southern campus area.

GAF funded the shoring up and monthly rental of the scaffolding supporting the bleachers though December. GAF also donated the new scoreboard, Stadium PA, funded Locallive Streaming and internet access to the stadium.

Links to all relevant documents including our proposed site plan can be viewed or downloaded at: https://www.greenwichaf.com/documents

About the Greenwich Athletic Foundation

The Greenwich Athletic Foundation was founded to create and support excellent youth and high school sports programs and facilities in the Town of Greenwich. Our goal is to work in cooperation with the various Town of Greenwich departments to improve, maintain and support the town’s athletic infrastructure. We believe that strong youth and high school athletics programs are vital to the active, healthy culture and shared values of our community. This foundation will provide a channel through which residents and other interested parties can unify and partner with each other for the advancement of the athletics programs in town.