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Date: 8/22/2023
HADLEY — With phase one of the project already completed, phase two of the athletic field renovation at Hopkins Academy is underway.
When finished, the baseball and softball fields will feature a redesign with soccer access in between, plus the addition of a public walking path around the entire area.
Hadley Public Schools Business Manager Chris Desjardins said the project itself has been in the works for approximately 12 years with plans already drawn prior to his employment with the school district.
“Some additional land had to be purchased to allow the number of fields that we needed and funding of course had to be obtained and that took a number of years,” he said. “Finally in 2020 we got the first phase in.”
This past spring the continuation of the project went out to bid and was awaiting the end of the school term, construction began again in mid-July.
Desjardins said a real positive for the project is the local ground itself, indicted by the seeding completed previously on the first half of the field.
“Hadley soil, you can’t beat that,” he said. “It’s just phenomenal soil, the grass grew like crazy and it’s nice and thick now.”
Desjardins added that fundraising for the project was “the easy part.”
“The town itself is incredibly supportive of the schools,” he said. “We got a lot of generous donations from various local businesses; the Hopkins Academy Trustees were incredibly generous with what they gave us for the project.”
Community Preservation Act funding of more than $1.5 million as well as town investments were previously directed toward the project.
The expectation is a 2024 opening based upon the growth and stability of the fields themselves.
“You basically have to let a field rest for a year after you plant the grass, Desjardins said. “Just to allow the roots to really get into the ground.”
Play may be possible to begin on the fields the following fall for soccer but if not softball and baseball will be the first to make use of their induvial fields.
Desjardins made particular note of the large paved, walking path that covers the exterior of the fields.
“It’s a great place for the community to walk on,” he said.
Desjardins added that the project is proceeding smoothly.
“It’s [the project] coming along nicely,” Desjardins said. “They’re [contractors] there every day, progress is being made and we’re really excited to see the end result.”