However, the grass fields and the football field at Bethlehem were all too wet to play on. The team had the best overall record in the league at the time, and was preparing for their final game of the season before playoff spots would be determined. In 2019, the Bethlehem girls’ lacrosse team lost a regular season championship. ![]() According to Kies, such drainage issues have caused many cancellations, and forced teams to move to modified fields for sectional playoffs and other important games. “It was very disruptive not only to the athletics schedule but also to the instructional schedule,” Gardner said. Such fields have improved drainage over grass fields, extending playing seasons.ĭue to heavy rains, the grass fields at Bethlehem are often swamped, sometimes rendering them unusable. Shaker, Guilderland, Niskayuna, Shenendahowah, Troy and Albany high schools, among others in upstate New York, have installed synthetic turf fields. While the similar proposal from 2013 was voted down at the time, the popularity of turf fields in the area has grown in recent years. Officials hope that the ribbon-cutting will coincide with the school’s homecoming events. ![]() Renovations have also been made to one of the school’s three gyms (Gym A) by replacing the wall pads, basketball backboards and hoops.Ī ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the full completion of the field, although no date has been set. The track and tennis courts have been resurfaced and restriped, and the softball field is currently undergoing construction to add permanent fences, foul poles, and new dugouts. Other capital improvements have been made to Bethlehem’s athletic facilities. However, the primary teams, which Kies said needed the dry playing surface more, will take precedence. Other sports teams, such as the football team, can also use the field to practice. The field is also intended for use by physical education teachers during the school day. The turf field will be primarily used by the boys and girls soccer and lacrosse teams, as well as the girls field hockey team. “We expect it to be the absolute finest facility for in the area,” Kies said, adding that he hopes that these capital improvements will bring greater visibility to the school and local community, and potentially make Bethlehem a candidate for hosting sectional, regional, or even state championships. The entire project, including lighting, brickwork and the concession building, is expected to be done before Thanksgiving, according to Kies. The scoreboard is expected to be completed by early October, and the bleachers are expected by early to mid-October. ![]() “Most of the feedback that we’re seeing from here are from athletic teams, who are starting to use the facility for their practices, and they are thrilled,” she said.Īpart from the turf itself, several other improvements are in the works for the new field, including bleachers seating up to 1,000 people, a scoreboard, a press box, new lights and a concession building with restrooms. A similar proposal for a turf football field, $3.5 million at the time, was voted down in 2013.Īccording to District Spokeswoman JoEllen Gardner, the community response to the field has been very positive. In August 2021, the school’s Board of Education voted overwhelmingly in favor of the artificial turf field, and in spring of this year, construction crews broke ground to set up the foundation for the field and install the new playing surface.
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