Rohan Naik Photo
Bowen Field boasts new synthetic turf field.
In 1998, school administrators first floated the idea of renovating Hillhouse High School’s Bowen Field.
Almost 20 years later, the project is finally complete, and there’s a lot to show off.
Officials showed it off Thursday with a tour of what $16.4 million in renovation money paid for.
While the renovation had long been needed, funding and logistical constraints prevented the project from taking off until 2012. The discovery of a carcinogenic pollutant, PCBs, in the bleachers further delayed the project; groundbreaking occurred in October 2014. A year and a half and $16.4 million dollars later, the stadium is finally ready.
“Building this stadium was a lot like a tough football game,” New Haven Schools Superintendent Garth Harries said with a smile. “It had its ups and downs.”
The new stadium boasts a synthetic turf field, field lighting for night games, and a new eight — lane track. Newly revealed are also a press box, public restrooms, locker rooms and security fencing.
Rules are in place to ensure the track’s longevity.
The synthetic turf field may have the mostnew impact. The previous grass field could not take much use; that forced teams to compete for limited practice time on a smaller field. Now, football, soccer and lacrosse programs will be able to use the turf field to their liking.
The field’s eco-friendly drainage management system allows for practices to continue despite inclement weather. New lighting on the field will allow for more games to be played. While games were previously played Friday afternoon and then Saturday morning, schedulers will now have the option of scheduling games for more optimal times, like Friday and Saturday evenings.
“What the turf field gives us is flexibility and functionality,” NHPS Chief Operating Officer William Clark said. “Before we’d have to cancel games with rain and flooding. That doesn’t have to happen now.”
Clark details the building process.
Some studies have linked turf fields, and specifically their crumb rubber, to toxins. So administrators and builders took no chances. They coated the rubber with acrylic covers to lessen any fears of toxins.
“That was something we specifically looked into,” said Glen Gollenberg, a principal of the SLAM Architecture Group. “We were able to eventually find a way that alleviated any and all concerns.”
The track has markings matching official sporting regulations.
In addition to the synthetic turf, the new Bowen now has an eight-lane track. The old asphalt track prevented meets from taking place; the new track, with its proper markings and eight lanes, makes Hillhouse qualified to host both state and regional track meets.
Students The locker rooms.
Along with flexibility and functionality, convenience is a hallmark of the the renovation. The new locker rooms are located close to the field rather than on the hill where they were before. This change allows supervisors to keep an eye on the action both on the field and in the locker room.
The historic gatehouse — long a symbol of Bowen Field to the community — has taken on a new role. While it remains in the same place as before, the construction process restored and re-signed it. And it provided separate spaces for bathrooms, refreshments and storage.
Renovated gatehouse showcases a new color.
“Much of the pride over this project came from the old Bowen Field,” Harries said. “We’re looking forward to a lot of memories here over the next few decades.”
I was told that money was taken from this project to start the new field at cross. i was told by several track runners that the drain near the lock room was unsafe. Where is the logo of Hillhouse on this field? Is this another situation of taking money from Hillhouse for other purpose? This is grant money? Several issues with this field. Where is the Principle Worthy and Coach Lytle ? I smell a rat and i see a picture of three. Need to investigate NHI. Talk to user of the field. Need their input on project.