BRIDGEWATER - A lease agreement between this town and the South Shore Fieldhouse Society will require a change before a sports shop and physiotherapy clinic can become part of the Glen Allan Drive indoor athletic facility.

 The planning department has suggested what it calls "reasonable" limitations to ensure the town's land-use policies are followed properly.

 "The town's land-use bylaw is not explicit on the type or size of permitted ancillary uses in recreational facilities in this particular zone," said planning director Eric Shaw.

 The society has earmarked 900 and 750 square feet of space within the fieldhouse for a physiotherapy office and sporting goods store, respectively.

 The town proposes capping that combined square footage the society desires.

 "We've suggested the proposed approximately 1,650 square feet is a reasonable limit," he said. "In addition to this increase of use on the site we have recommended six additional parking paces be added to the initially required 50."

 Parks and finance department staff will be consulted and the town intends to get legal advice on wording for the lease. Construction can continue while the new paperwork is getting drawn up.

 Mayor Carroll Publicover said the society's request came as no surprise.

 "It was always anticipated that there might be enough space to do some ancillary, private-sector shops or services that might be related to the building," he said.

 Society president Doug Quinn said the facility is scheduled to open this month.

 The $3 million, 49,000-square-foot fieldhouse contains a four-lane, 209-metre, top-floor oval running track and on the bottom floor, a 60-metre sprint track and a 100' x 200' turf field.

posted on 10/07/08