One of two new scoreboards installed at Snow Hill High School’s new athletic field.
Snow Hill High School athletes will be able to take the field at the school’s new athletic facility sooner than expected.
The first game planned for the field is the football team’s season opening match against Parkside High School Friday, Sept. 4. Football, track and soccer will be played on the field.
Construction started earlier than expected, allowing the completion to occur in time for the start of the season, according to project manager Bill Moschler of Oak Contracting.
The new 1,261-seat facility is part of a $50 million renovation and expansion project at the school that started in January 2014 and is expected to be completed in time for the 2016-17 school year.
Highlights include a track and pits for long jump and pole vault for the school’s track team, new wheelchair-accessible bleachers and a new artificial turf field.
The turf field will eliminate many of the rolls and dips that come with a natural grass field, along with the need for in-ground sprinklers.
“I think our student athletes are really going to be excited about playing on it,” said school athletic director Todd Lampman. “We’ve played on a surface that has been average at best and now we have an opportunity to play on a top of the line surface at a top of the line stadium, so we’re excited about it.”
A new press box, along with new lighting and sound systems have also been set up, along with bigger concession stands and a ticket booth. The locker room will have facilities inside, so athletes no longer have to leave to use the restroom.
A view from the press box at Snow Hill High School’s new athletic field, set to be played on for the first time Friday, Sept. 4.
Teams have yet to practice at the new facility. Before Oak Contracting hands the field to the school, a few finishing touches need to made, including the installation of a second scoreboard, painted lanes on the track and some safety features.
First-year football coach Tim Richo, a Snow Hill alumnus, said his athletes have been anxious to play on the new field. He believes his team could have a home-field advantage, as most teams practice on grass.
“This stadium is awesome,” he said. “The old stadium doesn’t compare to the new one.”
Last year, the football team played its home games at Salisbury University.
School principal Kimberly Purvis is excited for the Snow Hill community to come together in its new athletic home.
“The school is the hub of the community and we know that our community deserves something great,” she said. “That’s what we want to give them with this stadium and the school, in general.”
Snow Hill High School is set to premiere its new athletic field Friday, Sept. 4.
443-210-8125
Twitter: @JonBleiweis Facebook: Facebook.com/byjonbleiweis
IF YOU GO
SNOW HILL FOOTBALL HOME OPENER
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4
Where: Snow Hill High School
Call: 410-632-5270
