For the last six years, North was without practice fields. First, the fields were torn down for the construction of the new building. Then there was the long teardown process of the old building where the new fields currently sit.
“I’m excited, the fields are going to look nice,” Activities Director Dusty Weiskopf said. “I mean, it does look nice now, but I hope the grass grows. They did it at a good time, so hopefully in the spring, it all starts coming up and all that’s green. It’s going to look real nice.”
The fields took a lot to get to this point after the deconstruction. The grading of the dirt required multiple cycles using laser levels to ensure the fields were as even and level as possible. Then, there were the storm drains that had to be placed, and now the most recent development, the laying of sod.
“Currently, the fields are not ready for use,” Weiskopf said. “They probably will not be ready for use until next fall. So the grass is Bermuda that they used to sod. So, last check, about two weeks ago, it was taking root. The problem with Bermuda, it’s a hot weather grass, that’s why in June and July, it’ll be super green, but it goes dormant. But they are finished, everything’s good to go. They’ve seeded and sodded all the top three fields. So while they are completed, they probably will not be ready until next fall. We’re hoping that they’re going to be ready for spring. But I’ve been telling people, I don’t think so, because I don’t want people on there. And then, if it’s not rooted, we are just further behind.”
Regardless of when the field will be done, the athletes who use the fields are excited and more than ready to have their own fields to practice on.
“For the spring season, lacrosse has to share with soccer and track,” junior Lillyanne Wardle, a lacrosse player, said. “It’s a hot mess, because we’re only used to playing on half a field, and in real game situations, we’re not used to full fields. I hope the fields make practicing easier and more likable between soccer and lacrosse, at least for the spring season, because we don’t like sharing fields.”
The fields, like the building, are new and much improved to what North previously had, and overall will have a lasting impact on the school and its community.
“I think that area with the throwing events down on the bottom of the hill would rival any place in the state,” Weiskopf said. “I think if we had a javelin throwing area, which we do, but if we concreted it, I think that’s really the only thing which we’re not getting that would keep us from potentially holding a state event. I mean, that’s a state quality area, I’ll rival this entire facility up to anything in the state that we’ve got. So we’re very fortunate here. I don’t think people realize that, but, yeah, I’m excited.”
