The
newly renovated Rogers High track and field is set to open this month
in time for the start of high school football, cross-country, and girls
soccer practice.

Construction
began shortly before school let out in June when the first shovels of
dirt were turned during a ceremonial groundbreaking attended by
students, coaches, school leadership, and district representatives.
“We
have been waiting a long time for this,” said Rogers High Associated
Student Body President Logan Krehbiel. “It’s going to be an excellent
addition to the school … It’s a great day to be a Rogers Ram.”
Puyallup
School Board Director Dane Looker added, “The new Rogers High field
will give students and the community a state-of-the-art complex to play
on. I think it’s going to be beautiful, I think it’s going to enhance
the Rogers campus, and I think it’s going to be utilized in many
different ways. This is a win-win all across the district.”
The
project, which is expected to be fully completed by next month,
includes an all-weather synthetic artificial turf field, as well as a
digital scoreboard, public address sound system, ticket booth, small
press box, and field lighting.
One
of the most noticeable improvements is the artificial turf field, which
replaces a grass field that had divots and was prone to puddles and
other standing water problems during rainy weather.
The
renovated field has a subsurface drainage system that supports having
it used year-round. It also features a large two-toned blue “R,”
representing Rogers High and the school colors. The letter is inlaid
with field turf fabric in the center of the field.

Other
improvements include long-jump and triple-jump runways, a shot put
throwing pad and landing areas, the installation of fencing and
walkways, and the resurfacing and restriping of the track.
While
the plan was to double the size of the existing bleacher seating by
adding more seats on the north side of the field, the district was
unable to do so due to Pierce County Public Works permit requirements.
The
additional visitor seating would have required more than $1 million in
road improvements, said Chief Operations Officer Rudy Fyles.
Except
for the fewer number of visitor bleachers, the Rogers High project is
identical to the field and track renovation completed in 2011 at Emerald
Ridge High School.
The
track and field will be used by Rogers High School students for P.E.
classes, as well as for junior varsity and varsity girls soccer
practices and games, junior varsity football games, varsity football
practices, cross country, and track.
Varsity football games will continue to be held at Sparks Stadium.
The
school board agreed to renovate the track and field to provide students
and the community with quality practice and game surfaces while freeing
up time at Sparks Stadium for other athletic uses, such as Puyallup
High girls soccer.
The
$3 million of improvements are being paid for with state matching funds
and interest income collected through the voter-approved 2004 school
bond. State law requires that matching funds be used for capital
(construction-related) projects.
When
not in use by district schools, the track and field will be open to the
community. Additional lighting will extend the time the field is
available for use.
The
field will have markings suitable for football, soccer, and lacrosse,
said Rick Wells, director of athletics, health, and fitness.