The St. Joseph School District has officially opened new turf and track facilities at Benton, Central and Lafayette high schools, part of a long-anticipated upgrade made possible by the 2024 No Tax-Rate Increase Bond.
The district had hoped to open the fields in time for the current school year, but cost overruns, a wet summer, and other challenges have delayed the projects.
Becky Dunn, the district’s director of communications and community relations, said the new fields will benefit a wide range of student activities beyond just football and track.
“Our PE classes will be able to use those, our marching bands will be able to use those,” Dunn said. “It’s a great space to offer all of our students. It’s an outdoor, instructional space.”
All three turf fields are completed and currently in use.
The track surfaces, according to Dunn, “are close to being completed. The asphalt has been laid down and is curing. When that is set, the final coating will be applied.”
The upgrades were funded through a $20 million bond issue approved by voters in 2024. The bond supports a variety of capital improvement projects across the district.
To mark the completion of the turf fields, the city will host a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies beginning this Friday. Benton High School will celebrate on Oct. 3 at Sparks Field, Central High School on Oct. 10 at Noyes Field, and Lafayette High School on Oct. 17 at Marriott Field. All events are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.