Joliet Catholic Academy’s New Outdoor Sports Stadium: A Detailed Look
The city of Joliet’s zoning board is set to meet on April 17, 20XX, at 2 p.m., in the second floor City Council Chambers, to review Joliet Catholic Academy’s (JCA) ambitious multi-million-dollar construction plans. The academy aims to build a new outdoor sports stadium on the property of the demolished Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.
For decades, Joliet Catholic has played its home football games at the Joliet Park District’s Memorial Stadium. However, to proceed with the construction project, JCA needs a special use permit. The city staff reports that JCA has an “annual contract” with the Park District to use Memorial Stadium, but there’s no official notice about stopping the use.
Project Plans
According to the Joliet board of zoning documents, JCA’s petition seeks a special use permit “to allow athletic fields incidental to a private high school” located at 1201 Wyoming Avenue and 1200 N. Larkin Avenue.
The project would renovate several existing fields and make substantial improvements to the Our Lady of Angels property for the construction of a new football field and eight new tennis courts. The multipurpose athletic field is expected to have a capacity between 6,000 and 7,000 people, with 5,500 seats.
Community Engagement
In October 2024, JCA held an open house to discuss the proposed athletic fields complex with area residents. Most residents supported the project, but a few expressed concerns over potential increased traffic, noise, and crime.
Impact on the Community
The city memo states, “While staff recognizes that larger crowds will likely attend games at the proposed multi-purpose athletic field football stadium in Phase 1 of the project, it is not uncommon to see high school football fields occupy land in or adjacent to residential neighborhoods elsewhere in the region.”
Effectively policing and traffic control planning are essential to prevent any negative impact on the use of other properties in the vicinity and the normal development of surrounding areas.
Effect on Residents and the World
For residents living near the JCA campus, this development might lead to increased traffic, noise, and potential crime. However, the academy’s commitment to effective policing and traffic control planning aims to mitigate these concerns.
On a larger scale, the construction of this new sports stadium represents an investment in the community, helping to ensure the long-term viability of Joliet Catholic Academy in the City of Joliet.
Conclusion
The Joliet Catholic Academy’s plans to build a new outdoor sports stadium on the property of the demolished Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home are under review by the city’s zoning board. The project, which includes a new football field and eight tennis courts, requires a special use permit. With effective policing and traffic control planning, the impact on the community is expected to be minimal.
This development represents an investment in the community, ensuring the long-term viability of Joliet Catholic Academy. However, residents living near the campus might experience increased traffic, noise, and potential crime.
- Joliet Catholic Academy seeks a special use permit to build a new outdoor sports stadium
- The project includes a new football field and eight tennis courts
- Effective policing and traffic control planning are essential to minimize impact on the community
- The development represents an investment in the long-term viability of Joliet Catholic Academy
