GUILDERLAND — The new turf field at Guilderland High School was unveiled before students, staff, and Board of Education and community members in a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the evening’s varsity football game against Shaker High School on Friday, Oct. 21.
Members of the Guilderland Athletic Department, the board of education and several GHS athletes gathered on the field to ceremoniously cut the ribbon as stands packed with enthusiastic spectators cheered. The new turf field will be used for physical education classes and various sport practices, in addition to serving as the district’s home base for sporting events.
One year ago, the residents of Guilderland Central School District voted to approve a $21.8 million capital project proposal, which included the construction of a multi-purpose synthetic turf field. The $2,510,745 project replaced the previous 8-lane track and grass football field, and included drainage, power and a safety control netting system to cover the corner of the track. Construction on the new field began over the summer and was completed earlier this month.
The new turf field will benefit not only GCSD students and staff, but the local community as well. Synthetic turf enables the field to be used virtually year-round, compared to the old grass field which was dependent on weather conditions. This often led to home games in the early spring/late fall to be rescheduled to sites outside of the district since the grass field would be deemed unusable. To learn more about the background of the new turf field, visit the district’s website.
According to the district, the benefits of the new turf field expands beyond sports. GCSD students learn both in and outside of the classroom, and the value of outdoor learning spaces was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The turf field will increase the amount of physical education classes held outside, as well as extend the amount of time students spend outdoors. Most importantly, GCSD students will remain on campus more, enhancing their safety and eliminating disruptions to activities outside of school.
“Thank you to the GCSD Board of Education, students, staff, and community members for all of their hard work and belief in this extraordinary project,” the district stated in an online message. “Without their support, this project would not have been possible; GCSD is grateful to have this amazing new district facility.”
