Somersworth sports dome takes one more step toward construction
SOMERSWORTH — The sports dome planned for Route 108 has moved one step closer to reality with city Planning Board approval of a bond for the project.
Developer Criag Riotto was granted a waiver Wednesday night to change the type bond required by the board, from the city's requirement of a letter of credit, or cash, to a surety bond.
"The city staff recommends accepting the surety bond and accepting the application as complete," said Michelle Mears, the city's director of planning and community development. "Then we can begin the review process."
City Manager Bob Belmore, noted the project has been before the city for a while, with several requests for extensions. It was first proposed in 2021.
"This is just an administrative item," Belmore said.
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James Ball, representing Riotto's New England Sports Hub, said the surety bond is a common method, one that will not tie up as much of the project's cash as other options.
"We are heading toward construction," Ball said. "It has been a long road, and we are looking to move forward. This is cost effective for the client and the project is good for the city. This poses no liability to anyone."
City Councilor David Witham, who sits on the Planning Board, moved to accept the bond with no conditions. The board agreed, unanimously.
When contacted on Thursday, Riotto said he would be ready to discuss his next steps and the goals of the project in a couple of weeks.
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The site plan application for 165 Route 108 was originally submitted to the city on Feb. 3, 2021. Proposed by New England Sports Hub, The Sports Hub Athletic Dome proposes to construct a 135,000-square-foot, climate-controlled, air-supported dome structure with several athletic fields and amenities for hosting sports leagues, tournaments, training camps and occasional special events.
Riotto previously said plans call for two football fields worth of field turf for year-round play in multiple sports for all ages.
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The lot size totals 14.25 acres, with about 6 acres used by the Hilltop Fun Center, which has go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages and an arcade and will remain in place. The remaining 8-plus acres behind Hilltop Fun Center is the planned sports dome site.
According to the plan, the dome would be 250 feet wide and 540 feet in length. Its inflated height is expected to 98 feet.
Access to the sports dome would be provided via two driveways planned to intersect the north side of Willand Drive approximately 1,230 feet east of Route 108 and approximately 4,000 feet west of High Street (via Commercial Drive, Penny Lane, and Handle Road).
During the summer months, the sports dome is expected to be used for summer camps during the day and adult league games in the evening. During the fall-winter-spring months, six sessions for retirees will replace the day-camp activities, and the six evening leagues will continue. The sports dome will also be available for occasional special events, likely on weekends. The venue is expected to attract up to 2,500 attendees to the city over the course of a typical event day.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth sports dome bond approved
