In the conceptual stage, Saint Viator is calling a proposed sports complex development “The Backyard Project” but the Village of Arlington Heights has labeled it the “Saint Viator Project” or technically, Saint Viator Sports Fields – T1884. Saint Viator High School is proposing substantial changes to the athletic fields located to the south of the high school building. All the existing athletic fields would be demolished, along with a storage building that is approximately 3,000 square feet. Subject to review and approval from the Village of Arlington Heights, Saint Viator aims to break ground in Fall 2026 and host the first full season in Fall 2027.
Another project, which Saint Viator calls “The Satellite Complex” which will be located off-campus, will accommodate the baseball field and softball field being replaced by “The Backyard Project”. The location of “The Satellite Complex” has not been disclosed. According to Saint Viator, “(b)ecause campus space is limited, we’re securing nearby partner locations that can provide full-dimension, regulation diamonds with quality surfaces and lighting, dugouts and bullpens, multiple batting cages, scoreboard and PA system, seating for families and friends, and convenient access. Overall, a safe, well-managed site that looks and feels like home on game day.”
Currently on campus at Saint Viator, there are baseball and softball fields, including dugouts, batting cages, a storage building, and a number of natural grass fields. The renovation work is designed to remove all existing fields and structures and create new baseball and softball fields at another location, offsite. The renovated site will include turf fields for football (surrounded by a running track), soccer, and lacrosse, and associated field events features with bleachers along the sidelines. In the northeast corner of the athletic fields, the plan includes eight fenced-in tennis courts, along with an entrance gate, concession, and restrooms building.
Search Amazon: Snowman Snow GlobesSimply put, a significant Football Stadium with Track & Field amenities and other athletic amenities will be replacing the Baseball Field and Softball Field at the athletic fields adjacent Dryden Avenue South of Saint Viator High School. The Baseball Field and Softball Field will be located off-campus. Saint Viator claims off-campus trips to athletic events will decrease.
“By bringing practices and games on campus, bus traffic and off-campus trips will decrease.
To ensure additional capacity on-site, Saint Viator is adding parking as part of the renovation. During peak events (such as home varsity football games, approximately 5 times a year), Saint Viator will coordinate with neighboring parishes to provide supplemental parking.
We will follow village guidelines on lighting, hours, and traffic flow to minimize disruption.”
— Saint Viator
The Village of Arlington Heights Staff Development Committee (SDC) reviewed the proposed Planned Unit Development and Variations to permit a football stadium and other athletic fields, and is generally supportive of the application; but declares that approval will be subject to resolution of many variations. In order for the property development to be approved, 32 variation hurdles exist where Saint Viator High School is surrounded by neighborhoods of single-family homes with no main arterial roadway adjacent to the high school property.
Neighbors previously have complained about parking arrangements at the high school — just for regular school days. Upgraded parking lot facilities alleviated many concerns years ago. However, Saint Viator’s parking facilities are paltry compared to Prospect High School’s parking facilities in Mount Prospect … and Prospect High School has parking problems and overflow on nights of varsity football games.
The Village of Arlington Heights Staff Development Committee (SDC) reviewed the proposed Planned Unit Development and Variations to permit a football stadium and other athletic fields, and is generally supportive of the application subject to resolution of the following:
1. Any variation requests, including the Land Use Variation, must be identified and written justification provided based on the criteria for approval.
• The proposed use will not alter the essential character of the locality and will be compatible with existing uses and zoning of nearby property.
• The plight of the owner is due to unique circumstances, which may include the length of time the subject property has been vacant as zoned.
• The proposed variation is in harmony with the spirit and intent of this Chapter 28.
• The variance requested is the minimum variance necessary to allow reasonable use of the property.
2. Petitioner will need to provide a project phasing plan and construction phasing plan as part of the full Plan Commission submittal.
3. Verify compliance with stormwater management requirements (drainage, detention).
4. Ensure field lighting (if applicable) meets glare and spillover standards.
5. Provide an accessible route from parking and site pathways to fields (ADA).
6. Provide dimensions and clearances per standard design guidelines.
7. Ensure ADA-compliant spectator viewing area if seating is provided.
8. Ensure a sufficient number of ADA-accessible stalls and Van parking with required signage.
9. Provide an updated photometric plan if lighting is included.
10. Submit stormwater management calculations for impervious surface increase.
11. Provide a traffic and parking study. Demonstrate that there is adequate on-site parking for athletic activities. The study should include, but not be limited to the following:
• Improvements to the Frederick St. intersection may be required.
• Impact of school events planned concurrently with peak events at the athletic facility.
• Information on major events currently held at St. Viator, including impacts on surrounding neighborhood on-street parking.
• All current traffic and parking trends that would impact the project.
• Any proposed off-site parking arrangements and agreements.
12. Provide a photometric lighting diagram showing lighting intensities. The lighting must be shielded to eliminate glare to adjacent properties.
13. Stormwater detention is required meeting Village and MWRDGC requirements.
14. If the disturbed area exceeds 1 acre, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is required for discharge of storm water. Prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SW ).
15. Water and sanitary sewer will need to be extended to service the concessions and bathrooms.
16. Provide information on where ambulances will stage during events
17. If an emergency access road is required to access the ball fields or concessions:
a. The access road shall have a heavy-duty pavement section.
b. Provide an exhibit to engineering scale showing the turning path of the Fire Department’s responding vehicle
18. Parking and Traffic Management Plan for event days should be provided and reviewed to minimize neighborhood disruption.
19. (Identify) Where will buses from other teams’ park?
20. How will access to the site be controlled?
21. Landscape Plan meeting all Code requirements shall be submitted.
22. A PUD (Planned Unit Development) will be required to accommodate the required variations from Code. 23. Additional details regarding the scoreboard shall be provided.
24. Landscape islands will be required in the parking lot.
25. Information regarding size and height of the grandstands will need to be provided.
26. Height of any light poles shall be provided.
27. Information on fence design and height shall be provided .
28. Information on any signage being proposed.
29. Design Commission review of the building and grandstands will be required.
30. Traffic and Parking study will be required.
31. Anticipated schedule of events. (Days and times)
32. Any information regarding how noise will be mitigated shall be provided.
The Village of Arlington Heights official page on the Saint Viator Project as of Thursday, December 4, 2025 has not provided an update on future meeting dates, but a sign-in link is available for a “St. Viator Project e-mail newsletter” on the Village of Arlington Heights Saint Viator Project page.
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