Former Board of Education President Madeline Smith and Current Board of Education President Jessica DeDomenico cut the ribbon opening the new turf field.
Turf Field Ribbon Cutting 2020
Board of Education Members Leah Tahbaz, Eileen Miller, Jessica DeDomenico and Vinny Mazzaro are shown with Dr. Cheryl Champ, Superintendent of Schools.
Former Board of Education Presidents Joe Solimine and Madeline Smith are shown with current Board President Jessica DeDomenico, Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ and Theresa Brasile and Olivia Imperato representing former Board Member Tom Imperato.
Dr. Cheryl Champ speaks to attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Board President Jessica DeDomenico speaks to attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Dr. Cheryl Champ throws out a ceremonial first pitch
Jessica DeDomenico throws out a ceremonial first pitch at the new turf field as Joe Solimine looks on.
Joe Solimine throws out a ceremonial first pitch
The ribbon was officially cut on the newly installed synthetic turf field at the Glover Athletic Complex on Friday, July 17, marking the first completed project included in the 2018 Capital Improvement Bond Referendum.
At the ceremony Town Supervisor Dan McLaughlin led the small group of attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before Board of Education President Jessica DeDomenico and Dr. Cheryl Champ, Superintendent of Schools delivered brief remarks. The ribbon was then officially cut by former Board President Madeline Smith and Mrs. DeDomenico.
“We were incredibly blessed to have a community that came together in 2018 to support the district by approving a $57M bond referendum project with a special proposition devoted to athletic fields,” said Dr. Champ. “Today we celebrate the opening of this, the flagship athletic facilities improvement of that proposition.”
The approximately 110,000 sq. ft. field, which encompasses the Joe Soliminie, Varsity B, and Varsity C fields, is striped for a variety of sports, including baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and field hockey. The new synthetic surface and multi-sport striping will increase the amount of practice and competition time available for both school and recreational department athletics and activities because there will be few if any weather delays.
“‘Field of Dreams’ was the first thing that popped into mind when I thought of this exciting new facility, the process it took to get here, and what this ceremony represents.” said Board of Education President Jessica DeDomenico. “Pelham now boasts one of the best athletic facilities in Westchester.”
The bond referendum allocated approximately $4.6 million for athletic facilities improvements including the turf field installation and the replacement of the tennis courts at the Glover Complex, which have also been completed. Both projects were completed under budget.
A third component of the athletic facilities upgrades is irrigation upgrades at Prospect Hill Field, which is expected to be put up for bid soon.
The improvements at Glover also included new fencing and additional lighting along the pedestrian path running from the front parking lot to the new synthetic turf field and repaving of the parking lot and entrance road, which will increase safety for pedestrians.
These facilities are currently open for activities sanctioned by the Pelham Recreation Department and may be used by the public when not used for school events. Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only passive recreation is permitted and social distancing must be practiced at all times. Use of the tennis courts is being scheduled by the Recreation Department.
Following the ceremony, members of the Pelham varsity baseball team took on members of the Harrison varsity baseball team in a game that was arranged through the Town Recreation Department. Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Mrs. DeDomenico, Dr. Champ and Joe Solimine.
Background
In May 2018, voters approved two bond propositions totaling $57.5 million. In addition to the new turf field and tennis courts, the bond also included construction of a new Hutchinson Elementary School, conversion of central offices located within the high school into classrooms, masonry and roofing renovations at the middle school/high school campus, and the installation of an elevator, bathroom renovations and other accessibility improvements as well as field irrigation improvements at Prospect Hill School. These remaining projects remain in various stages of development.