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Applicants seek feedback on Owl’s Nest sports complex near Pemi Road and Owl Street
Summary
Applicants presented plans for a nonprofit 'Owl’s Nest' sports complex — including a 330x160-foot field, pool, ice rink, fitness center and 190 parking spaces — and were told a special-exception process and ZBA review will be required before the project can proceed.
Three applicants asked the Campton Planning Board on Feb. 4, 2025, for preliminary feedback on a proposed sports complex they are calling Owl’s Nest. The applicants — Phillip Hastings, Brian Lash and Brad McCoil — described a multi-use facility planned near the intersection of Pemi Road and Owl Street that would include a 330-by-160-foot outdoor sports field, a swimming pool, an ice rink, an indoor fitness center and room for about 190 parked vehicles.
The applicants said they plan to operate Owl’s Nest as a nonprofit, relying on membership and usage fees to cover upkeep and operations, and that a managing organization would be responsible for maintenance. The board did not take any formal action; members offered preliminary feedback and identified issues the applicants should address before filing for approvals.
Vice Chair Jake Tuck expressed concern that the complex could increase Campton’s tax burden and noted that Owl’s Nest “contributes relatively little to the town’s revenue,” a point that board members said merited further financial analysis. Other board members raised questions about pedestrian and vehicle traffic, how fundraising would be structured, and the fact that a 501(c)(3) corporation has not yet been formed.
Board members told the applicants that the facility would be allowed only by special exception, so the next formal step is a review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Phillip Hastings said he wanted to confirm feasibility before committing significant resources. The board’s comments were advisory; no application or vote on the project was taken at the Feb. 4 meeting.
Next steps: the applicants should prepare formal application materials and meet with the ZBA as required for a special-exception review. The Planning Board will provide further procedural guidance as the project advances.
