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The renovations to the athletics stadium at Niskayuna High School are expected to impact sports teams and physical education for at least a year, maybe two.
The renovations are part of the district’s nearly $ 80 million capital improvement project that is expected to take place over the next several years. The project includes a $ 10 to $ 11 million renovation of the high school athletic fields.
District spokesperson Matt Leon said they were in urgent need of modernization, a long-standing concern of the community – also recognized by the district.
“Currently the track is in such bad condition that two lanes cannot be used at all and the high school cannot host home track and field meetings anymore,” Leon said in an email Wednesday. “Other problems with outdoor sports facilities include lack of accessibility for people with disabilities, baseball fields which are often unplayable during the season due to poor drainage, and dugout canoes and safety nets which are often unplayable during the season. have not been updated for over 30 years. Traffic and lack of parking are also problems.
The works to be carried out include:
- Installation of a new track
- Construction of a new, enlarged multisport turf field within the track
- Installation of new baseball and softball fields
- Development of additional parking spaces and improvement of road safety and traffic flow
- Improvements to make the stadium accessible to people with disabilities
Other items could be added depending on the cost of those projects, Leon said.
The focus of the work at the stadium was determined by the current conditions of the facility and feedback from the community over the years, according to the district spokesperson.
At a school board meeting on Tuesday, Jim King, an architect with King and King Architects, provided an update on the project. Work should begin in the spring.
“Physical education and sports will be impacted for much of the next year,” King said at the meeting. “Baseball can be even longer.”
Leon said the work will be completed in stages over the next year to two years.
However, the district is already looking for where its sports teams can train and host matches, King said.
Leon said physical education classes will be held in other areas of the school, including gymnasiums and front courts. The district is looking to use space in other schools and colleges for the practices of affected sports teams during project completion, and competitions for those affected are being held in remote locations.
He said softball is currently playing at Van Antwerp College and will not be affected. The next baseball will end in high school, but the team will likely need another location for the 2023 season. As for the next track and field season, the team will be training and competing away from school. secondary.
Once fall arrives, the soccer team will be training and competing away from home as well. Leon said the district was “fortunate to have such an excellent relationship with Schenectady Schools”. The Silver Warriors have used neighboring Patriots land in the past when their location on Balltown Road was unplayable.
“We know this job will take flexibility and patience,” said Leon, “but it will be worth it in the long run with a facility that our students, families and community can enjoy and be proud of for years to come. . “
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Categories: Schenectady County, Your Niskayuna
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