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WHS Athletic Facilities Renovation Project
August 14, 2018 Mewhiney Field - Bleacher posts, new turf installed and walls of new viewing plaza
August 7, 2018 Mewhiney Field - Lights, bleacher foundation prep, viewing plaza and wall
August 7, 2018 - Jimmy Hayes Field - Scoreboard and view from the top
July 10, 2018 - Hayes field ariel views
July 10, 2018 - Mewhiney Field back and front wall construction
June 18, 2018 - Aerial views from Huntress Associates of Mewhiney and Hayes fields
June 12, 2018 - Ceremonial Groundbreaking Event - Thank you to all our donors and supporters!
Click here for full article from The Community Advocate
Click here for full article from The Westborough News
Click here for full article from The Community Advocate
Click here for full article from The Westborough News
June 11, 2018 - Bleachers gone from Mewhiney Field
June 7, 2018 - Bleacher removed from Mewhiney Field and starting to dig into the hill on Hayes Field
June 4, 2018 - Turf removal from Mewhiney Field
May 29, 2018 - Ariel Views of Mewhiney Field and Jimmy Hayes Field
May 23, 2018 - Upper Jimmy Hayes Field
Stadium Repair and Upper Hayes Field Renovation
- Repair the existing track by scraping off the current material and resurfacing the track. Include addition of a second 6 lane straightaway on the far side of the track and turfing the “D” areas of the inner field.
- Replace the bleachers with a “closed” style bleacher and include viewing access in compliance with ADA requirements. Update the walkway and entrance to allow accessibility for all guests. The visitor side bleachers will be removed.
- Replace the press box.
- Build an adequately sized storage facility suitable for athletics and facilities.
- Replace the existing turf with another artificial turf field. Instead of crumb rubber, fill the new turf field with an alternative infill. The use of an alternative infill product will increase the price of the field by approximately $200,000 to $225,000. The cost includes a shock pad for $125,000 and $100,000 for the alternative infill product.
- Construct a second artificial turf field with seating for 200 on the upper Jimmy Hayes field. This field will also be an artificial turf with an alternative infill.
- Provide landscaping to screen sound, light, and traffic, with a focus on the roadway access area along the north side access. A landscaping plan to be proposed and that its implementation will occur after the completion of the town’s assessment of the drainage system that is currently under review based on a 2017 annual spring town meeting warrant article.
Field Lighting
- Four light pole stanchions to light the main field. The lights should be a LED-style design with directional hoods which can be better aimed at the field (less spill-over) and whose intensity can be increased or decreased depending on the use.
- A guidelines of use policy should be voted by School Committee to accompany the presentation at Town Meeting as a point of information. (See general anticipated guidelines in the Frequently Asked Questions tab)
Funding
The total cost of all the recommended items is approximately $4 million (this is inclusive of $400,000 in field lighting).
The Town Warrant Article for $3.5 million was voted on at the October 2017 Fall Town Meeting and approved. To complete the project in it's entirety $500,000 dollars will be raised for finishing work, a new sound system, scoreboards, and field lighting.
Project Timeline-
NEASC Accreditation Report recommendation 2014- In the ten year review of Westborough High School by NEASC it was concluded in the NEASC Final Report (Conclusions pp. 59- 60) that Town would need to develop a plan to replace the turf field and other outdoor facilities.
Strategic Plan 2015- The district wide Strategic Plan (Facilities, Goal 3) is approved by School Committee and outlines initial athletic facility goals and timelines.
February 2016- School Committee approved the hiring of Huntress Design Associates to lead the design and planning of the project.
March 2016- The first open community forum was held to gather ideas about the needs and wants for the project.
March 2016- The Rangers on Track Committee officially formed with community members, administrators, and staff.
May-June 2016- Rangers on Track meetings were held to discuss overall vision and mission of the project and committee. Three subcommittees were formed- Publicity/Community Outreach, Construction and Design, and Fundraising.
August- November 2016- Fundraising began and the Master Plan of potential range of options was delivered. Fundraising included a Week of Lights Kickoff BBQ and the Westborough Turkey Trot.
December 2016- Huntress Design Associates signs contract to perform existing conditions surveying and geotechnical testing.
January-February 2017- Outreach survey released to the entire Westborough community.
March 2017- Survey results summarized and released to TROT committee.
April 2017-May 2017- TROT committee, including subcommittees for Product/Infill and Lights/Landscaping, developed recommendations for School Committee report.
June 2017- School Committee to vote on the project proposal
October 2017- Town Meeting Vote
May-June 2018- Anticipated start of construction