MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $18.2M IN IMPROVEMENTS TO WEST ROXBURY EDUCATION COMPLEX

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $18.2M IN IMPROVEMENTS TO WEST ROXBURY EDUCATION COMPLEX

BOSTON - Saturday, September 12, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the West Roxbury community in commemorating the completion of the Field Improvement Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the West Roxbury Education Complex Raiders Field. "We're excited to celebrate the opening of another great park in one of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh. "It is a great day when we can provide a top of the line athletic facility, not only to our Public Schools, but also to the West Roxbury community and the larger Boston community. The opening of Raiders Field also marks the start of a public transportation service to Raiders Field, Millennium Park and to West Roxbury Education Complex." The project, which cost $18.2 million, covers an area of 14 acres in addition to the existing recreational amenities located at Millennium Park. The Department of Public Works completed the project in two phases. The City of Boston reconstructed the existing natural turf athletic fields located behind the West Roxbury Education Complex, replacing them with a new artificial turf complex, consisting of one football field, one baseball field, one softball field, and one multi-use field. "What was once a landfill that threatened to negatively impact the natural resources within the nearby Charles River is now a modern athletic complex that protects the environment and provides many recreational opportunities for students and the public at-large," said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. "MassDEP was happy to provide financing for the site and partner with the City of Boston and the school department on this important project." Additional improvements to the complex include a new 6-lane paved running track with spectator stands, three tennis courts, two half-court basketball courts, and a new energy-efficient lighting system.  The complex has become more accessible with new handicap accessible pathways to the fields and parking lot as well as a new bus turnaround and shelter to facilitate easy access to the park by public transportation. Integration of the route 36 bus will serve both Millennium park and West Roxbury Education Complex for both Boston citizens and BPS students. "This is another great example of Mayor Walsh's commitment to our schools, our student athletes and our neighborhoods," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang. "The newly restored Raiders Field will be a tremendous benefit not just to the athletic programs at the West Roxbury Education Complex and its students who can use the beautiful new fields and courts for gym class and recreation, but to the surrounding community and local sports organizations, as well. It is such an asset to have these state-of-the-art ball fields and 400-meter track at the doorstep of our West Roxbury high schools, and we are so excited our Raiders teams return home." Additional improvements to the complex include a new 6-lane paved running track with spectator stands, three tennis courts, two half-court basketball courts, and a new energy-efficient lighting system.  The complex has become more accessible with new handicap accessible pathways to the fields and parking lot as well as a new bus turnaround and shelter to facilitate easy access to the park by public transportation. Integration of the route 36 bus will serve both Millennium park and West Roxbury Education Complex for both Boston citizens and BPS students. Jonathan Stratton, President of Parkway Pop Warner, celebrated the project completion and opening ceremonies for the new field. "The kids are excited and can hardly wait to play on the new field. We have been waiting a long time for this day to come," Stratton said.