By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
ASHWAUBENON – A site plan for another Green Bay Packers practice field screen to prevent spying from the Resch Expo’s second floor was approved Dec. 15 by the village board.
Community Development Director Aaron Schuette said the extendable screening system for Ray Nitschke Field is similar to the system the board approved this fall for Clarke Hinkle Field.
“The poles on Hinkle Field are 33 feet (high),” he said. “These would be 23 feet, so a little lower. Again, (it’s) intended to keep unscrupulous teams from spying on the Packers’ practices.”
The Site Plan Review Committee and Plan Commission both recommended approval of the screening with the condition it is raised only when there are closed practices, otherwise the screening is to remain lowered.
Packers spokesman Aaron Popkey, who appeared remotely for the board’s meeting, said the screening will be down and folded up tightly when Nitschke Field is not in use.
Trustee Chris Zirbel joked with Popkey about the New England Patriots being the only NFL team to cheat, and whether the Packers could do something temporary in the years they play the Patriots.
Popkey said he appreciated “the moment of levity.”
“As we often say, you can never be too careful,” he said. “I won’t speak to that specifically, but as we know, it’s an abundance of caution and confidentiality.”
The Resch Expo, built on the site of the former Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena north of the two outdoor practice fields and the Don Hutson Center, is scheduled to open in January.