QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A pile of dust atop a layer of snow might have been extra symbolic than sensible, however for Queensbury Union Free School District, Wednesday morning would have been an enormous day whatever the climate. The faculty district broke floor on a brand new sports activities undertaking, one gold shovel at a time, after years of planning and exhausting work.

“Today is a special day,” stated district Superintendent Kyle Gannon, talking in entrance of scholars, college and different supporters in entrance of the long run house of the varsity’s new turf subject. “It’s taken a long time – 3 years of planning – to get to this point.”

Wednesday’s groundbreaking marks step one on the way in which to a brand new house for Queensbury’s athletics. The faculty’s new sports activities house will embody softball and baseball fields; a multi-sport subject emblazoned with the varsity’s “Spartans” staff identify; and a brand new and improved grandstand.

When Gannon talks concerning the period of time and work it’s taken to get right here, he means it. The subject is a part of a $19 million capital project approved by town voters in late 2021, billed alongside crucial work to a pool and roofing. Some on the faculty have pushed for enhancements like these for practically 20 years.

“This is my 19th year on the board, and I think 18 years I’ve been asking for a turf field for our student athletes,” stated Queensbury School Board Vice President Tim Weaver. “It’s here – it’s great – it’s going to be great for all our fall and spring athletes.”

The turf is meant to be used by faculty sports activities and groups throughout the campus’ elementary, center and highschool groups, together with girls and boys groups. The faculty intends for the turf to be prepared for play this fall.

At the second of groundbreaking, faculty college and undertaking planners stood alongside a few of Queensbury’s personal highschool college students. Each held a shovel, save for one handed between college students – from senior to junior, then to sophomore, then lastly freshman. The faculty’s pep band and Madrigal refrain carried out earlier than the gold-lined shovels ventured into the soil the place the district’s athletes will play this fall.

Athletics have been an enormous speaking level for Warren County’s largest faculty district in latest months. The district lately put out a name for potential members of its new sports hall of fame project.