Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Track and Field Renovation
Regionale School Committee Chair Sarabess Kenney (L) and School Superintendent E.Xiomara Herman (R) spoke at the groundbreaking for the new track and field at Amherst Regional High School. Photo: Maria Kopicki
Many dozens of people gathered at Amherst Regional High School on June 16 to celebrate the expected start of work to replace the school’s track and athletic fields. School Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman lead the ceremony on the small hill above the existing track and was joined by many athletes, coaches, and community members.
Representatives of school committees from Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury were present and expressed gratitude that this project is finally underway. Student athletes have not been able to hold home track and field meets for years because of the poor condition of the existing facilities. The project had stalled out in recent years for want of funds until the Regional School Committee committed to a plan that pivoted to a natural grass field rather than artificial turf. All four towns of the region contributed to the project’s ~$4 million price tag and community members donated via the Hurricane Boosters club.
Construction will start as soon as the school year ends next week and is slated to be completed in the fall. The project designer is SLR International and the contractor is M.J. Cataldo Inc. A new eight lane track and natural grass infield with LED lighting will be built as well as an additional playing field adjacent to the track. A bleacher pad will be installed so that bleachers can more easily be added in the future. The field is expected to be ready for play in the spring of 2026.
