The Board of Education is excited to announce the acceptance of our new athletic fields. The first games on the new fields will be the Senior Night games for both the Varsity Girls Soccer team on October 3rd and the Varsity Boys Soccer team on October 4th!
There was work that needed to be completed on the soccer and baseball fields over the past 18 months including deep tine aeration, fertilizations, and over seeding. This work was completed by the contractor. This maintenance work will continue as a regular process in general field maintenance. The contractor has provided the funding that may be needed initially, which the Board of Education accepted at the last regular Board meeting.
There have been numerous conversations about irrigation of the fields once accepted. A non-potable well was installed at the bottom entrance of the fields with a hydrant installed outside the fence in order to easily supply water to the athletic fields. Our in-house maintenance staff will be able to use a water cannon to water as needed.
Regarding the baseball field’s pitching mound, the height meets regulations according to our architect.
Lastly, there have been numerous questions and comments about the running track and if it meets regulation size. The track was designed as a “broken back track,” which is a recognized track size by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). A broken back track was built in order to accommodate a regulation size soccer field in the center. In 2020, an ASBA Certified Track Builder consultant certified and signed off on our track. The track has two different finish lines and by moving the timer between the two finishes (depending on the track event) we can host meets and sectionals.
We have been asked about lighting for the fields. This item will be discussed as we explore our options.
Thank you for your patience over the past couple of years as our fields were completed. We are excited about our students using these fields.
-The Berlin Central School District’s Board of Education Facilities Committee
boardofeducation@berlincentral.org
