Let’s bring Revere into the 21st century.

In the Suburban League three high schools already have synthetic turf. Now a group of concerned alumni, parents and friends of the Revere Schools has formed to voluntarily raise funds to improve and expand the track facilities to better serve athletic and cocurricular activities.

The Turf Field Fundraising Group working in concert with the Revere All Sports Booster Club, a 501c3 tax exempt organization, funded a feasibility study during the summer of 2008. Although there was a strong core group of people who were passionate about the project, it was important to take the temperature of the community at large. The success of this project hinges on broad participation throughout the community so a successful outcome of the feasibility study was critical. This study revealed that the community is willing and able to support such a fund raising effort.

Kathy Bearer, Interim Superintendent of the Revere Schools is a passionate advocate for the project. “Public schools that excel today and in the future are those that have a symbionic relationship with the parents and the community, bound together for the benefit of our children, the leaders of the next generation. This is a fresh, bold initiative that puts the Revere Schools at the forefront of that movement.”

It is time to act.

The project calls for installing a turf field that would serve the football, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, golf, band, and cheerleading programs. It would also reconfigure and install a new 8 lane track that will accommodate a regulation width soccer field (enlarging the soccer field from 63 yards wide today to 70+ yards wide). The track has been an identified need for over five years. It was and remains the financial responsibility of the Board of Education. However, the two projects – turf and track – will be completed simultaneously to take advantage of scales of economy.

The group seeks to raise $650,000.00 in private funds with pledges payable over three academic years, four tax years beginning October 2008. The goal is to bring needed improvements to the district without additional tax dollars. These funds would be in addition to funds earmarked by the school district for the track and field repair and upgrades. Phase 1 is confined to the turf field and track and field reconfiguration. Should fund raising exceed expectations, Phase 2 would add other athletic and recreational activities including outdoor restroom facilities, concession areas, a children’s playground and a Community Plaza/Entry area. Construction of Phase 1 would begin Spring 2009 and be completed prior to the Fall 2009 season.

It’s a win win for everyone.

While the obvious benefactors of this project are the current and future athletes, cheerleaders and band members, the community will benefit as well. The turf field and accompanying physical plant improvements will provide a facility that diverse community groups and organizations can utilize proudly. Having a state-of-the-art facility makes the school district more attractive, thereby increasing property values. This project is a win-win for everyone.