Vernon, Connecticut - All attention was focused on the Rockville High School Women's Football Team on Friday night as the Rams officially opened a new artificial turf field at the RHS Stadium.
The opening ceremony marked the culmination of a $1.5 million project that took many years but took shape before the school starts on the last day of June and the start of the school year in August. Then, the Rams faced Windsor.
"Athletics is an important part of the educational experience the town of Vernon provides for children," said Mayor Daniel Champagne. "The taxpayer's investment in modern track and field will become an excellent venue for our sports team and another pleasant place for our residents to take a walk."
Joseph P. Macary, head of Vernon School, said that everyone in Vernon can appreciate and enjoy the new facilities.
"This field will bring a new sense of pride to our schools and communities," said Dr. Macary. "Many of our sports teams-lacrosse, football, football, track and field teams-and our bands will use it. It will be open to the community so people can use this track to exercise."
In the spring, Vernon voters approved the use of cash to replace Rockville High School's aging track and natural grass with this new turning venue and all-weather track.
In order to cover the cost of the site, a total of US$1,129,462 was drawn from the capital non-recurring fund for the education of the lawn surface and maintenance plan of the site. The balance-$419,709 for the new track and field field-came from the Municipal General Fund.
Macary said that artificial surfaces will increase the use of the complex by 30 to 35 days due to fewer drainage and weather-related issues.
The permanent line of football and football is part of the field. The lacrosse line will be drawn according to the season.
On-site committee members are Karen Affedt, Charles Chatterton, Jeff Farrell, Anne Fischer, Keith Hodson, Stephen Linton, Brian Motola, Marty Sitler, Scott Smith and Steve Wakefield.
Liberty Landscape in South Windsor is the contractor.
The track will also be open to the community for people to walk and run.
Here is the situation on the first night: