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Sugar House Journal

Highland High Sets to Celebrate New Field

Aug 14, 2015 11h16 ● By Bryan Scott

New Field

By Rachel Hall

Highland High School will unveil its new football field on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. with a dinner and silent auction, in addition to having music, a bouncy house and other family-friendly activities. 

It took nearly ten years of advocating for improved football fields at high schools in Salt Lake City School District before the board approved earlier in 2015 what was anticipated to be a two to threeyear project. Approximately eight months since approval, the fields are ready to open for sports this fall.

“The superintendent wanted to move more aggressively,” Paul Schulte, executive director of auxiliary services, said.

Football teams, soccer teams and P.E. classes will have access to the field at HHS, but it will likely not be available for public rentals until after one year of monitoring the maintenance needs, according to Schulte.

The water system in place allows the field to be cleaned for maintenance, cooled down in extremely hot weather and also assist in the removal of snow during winter months.

“I’m really thrilled,” Missy MacKay-Whiteurs, athletic director at Highland High School, said about having the turf field opening for the school year.

The previous one was dangerous due to holes, and often sports would be canceled if it rained too much. The new system will be utilized all year long, according to MacKay-Whiteurs.

The approximately $1.2 million field at HHS is one of three opening this year in the district, with the other two located at East High School and West High School. The budget used for the construction of the fields came from a capital fund, which is a separate source of money from that which covers teacher salaries.

“We think it’s cost effective. After your initial investment, you’re going to save money,” Schulte said.

More important than being cost effective, according to Schulte, is the fact the field will have an enormous increase in use and is valuable green space in the city. 

“The resources that a school has is a community resource, so it’s just a matter of giving back to the community,” Schulte said.

The Aug. 14 celebration costs $5 per person or $25 for a family of six. For more information, visit: 

www.highland.slcschools.org