Construction on the new turf football field and renovated track has officially wrapped up after a six month process that brought major changes to campus athletic facilities. The renovations are part of ongoing campus improvement efforts, with plans for an expanded gymnasium being discussed for the future.
The project replaced the previous natural grass football field with an artificial turf surface and completely renovated the surrounding track. School officials from Miami Dade County stated that the upgrades were necessary because many of the athletic facilities had become outdated. The renovations are expected to improve athletic performance while reducing maintenance costs. After being permitted by the school district, construction began in November, although school staff had originally hoped for construction to begin over the summer in order to avoid disrupting school activities. The project was expected to take approximately three months, but construction ultimately lasted around six months because of delays and unexpected construction issues.
Despite the delays, the project is now nearing completion. The new turf field is expected to provide a more reliable playing surface for sports, especially soccer. The field also requires significantly less maintenance since it no longer needs watering or frequent cutting.
The renovations are expected to benefit both athletic programs and physical education classes by providing updated facilities for practices, games and student activities. The renovated track also gives athletes a more modern space for training and competition. The campus has already received additional athletic upgrades in recent years, as beach volleyball courts were added approximately two years ago as part of continued efforts to improve sports facilities and extracurricular spaces.
“I think the new turf and track really upgraded the school. Everything feels more professional now, and it gives athletes a better environment to practice and compete in,” sophomore Siena Sanchez said.
Future remodeling projects are also being discussed. Plans for a new gymnasium are expected to move forward in the coming years, with on campus officials hoping construction could be completed by 2029. The proposed gym would be significantly larger than the current facility and is expected to seat approximately 2,000 people, compared to the current gym’s capacity of around 400. Current plans for the future gym include new varsity locker rooms, physical education locker rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms, a training room, updated scoreboards and a Hall of Fame trophy display area. The expanded facility would allow the school to host larger athletic events and school activities while providing updated facilities for students and athletes.
“I think the renovations make the school feel a lot more modern. The new field and track already look way better but, and if the new gym gets built too, it could completely change athletics and school events on campus,” sophomore Elisa Duarte said.
Students, teachers and parents were not involved in the planning process for the new field and track renovations. The project and construction timeline was determined by the school district. Administrators said they were informed when the district approved the renovations and prepared to begin construction.
“Even though construction took longer than expected, the finished field and track were definitely worth the wait. The campus already looks more modern, and the future gym plans sound really exciting,”sophomore Sophie Space said.
The new field and track renovations are among the biggest campus changes in recent years and could mark the start of even more upgrades in the future. With plans of a larger gym and other possible renovations still under discussion, school officials expect the updated facilities will improve athletics, school events and everyday student activities while giving the campus a more modern appearance.
