Topgolf eager to bring high-tech golf complex to Dedham St.

There has been a palpable excitement among local residents and town officials for the anticipated arrival of Topgolf in Canton, and last month representatives from the Dallas-based golf entertainment company added fuel to the buzz with an introductory appearance at the Canton Planning Board meeting.

A view from a TopGolf hitting bay

While the site plan approval process was due to officially get underway at a hearing last night at town hall, a team including Tim Sullivan, attorney for Topgolf, and Todd Waldo, the company’s director of real estate development, met with Planning Board members on September 19 to provide an overview of the project as well as some background on the Topgolf story and brand.

Proposed on the site of the former Cumberland Farms headquarters at 777 Dedham Street, the development, according to Sullivan, would consist of a three-level, 60,000-square-foot building, a large “outfield” with catch netting, and a parking lot with 463 spaces. Topgolf would utilize the existing access road into the site and plans to install a new traffic signal at the entrance of the property on Dedham Street. Sullivan said the traffic signal would be in addition to the new signals that will be installed as part of the ongoing Dedham Street improvement project being undertaken by MassDOT.

The site is already properly zoned — following the creation of a new Limited Industrial C District that was unanimously approved at the 2018 Canton town meeting — and is entitled to expedited permitting due to its status as a Chapter 43D Priority Development Site.

“The site in its current condition is abandoned, unused, paved, 500 parking spaces, tractor trailer parking,” said Sullivan. “What we’re proposing is a complete redevelopment of the site, a multimillion-dollar investment in infrastructure, stormwater quality, and a new three-level, technologically advanced golf driving range/entertainment event space complex.”

While Topgolf is a popular, fast-growing brand with 41 locations across the United States and four international venues, the Canton location would represent the company’s first foray into the New England market, with the closest location more than a four-hour drive away in Edison, New Jersey.

Waldo said the facility proposed in Canton represents a new venue concept for the company and would be the first of its kind in the Topgolf portfolio. “We are extremely excited about bringing Topgolf to New England, and more importantly to the town of Canton,” he said.

Waldo said the company has pioneered an “inclusive, high tech golf game that everyone of all ages and skill levels can enjoy,” featuring climate-controlled hitting bays and an outfield with electronic targets.

“Topgolf is really about creating experiential entertainment that’s unlike any other type of use,” he said. “It’s fun; it’s affordable; it’s tech driven. It’s all-inclusive, all-weather — guests can enjoy and use the amenities throughout the year.”

The proposed facility will also feature a full-service restaurant and bar with high-quality food and drink options developed by the company’s executive chefs, as well as event space to accommodate corporate outings, birthday parties, and other group activities.

Waldo said Topgolf prides itself on being a “great corporate citizen” and is actively involved in the communities that the company serves. In addition to donating to and supporting a number of charities, Topgolf offers free practice time and training opportunities to local high school golf teams and regularly donates golf equipment to soldiers serving overseas.

In terms of the economic impact, Waldo said the Canton Topgolf would create up to 500 new jobs, including 125 full-time positions, while generating an estimated $700,000 in additional yearly property tax revenue for the town.

Following the presentation, the Planning Board asked a few broad questions but reserved most of their commentary for the start of the site plan review process on October 3. A few of the members asked about the possibility of additional development on the site in the future, but Sullivan made it clear that the Topgolf proposal would be “singular in nature” and would not be part of a larger shopping center.

Member Bob Panico also raised the issue of the catch-netting poles potentially interfering with planes landing at nearby Norwood Airport, and Sullivan indicated that they are actively engaged with discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration as well as a number of other relevant state and local agencies.

“This project is really about the responsible redevelopment of a blighted property, and the economic output and development that will occur as a result,” said Waldo in his concluding remarks. “We think it’s a great story with what’s being proposed and all of the many benefits that would result for the community, and we’re hopeful of your support throughout the process.”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Oct 4 2018. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.