Project Description
The Blair High School athletic field renovation project will include two surfaces that can be used for multiple sports for improved Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) athletic competition for practices and games for the largest high school in Maryland, improved safety and playability for the school’s physical education program, and expanded community use in an area of high demand with limited land development opportunities.
The proposed improvement projects are separated into two phases as the construction is proposed during a small window during MCPS’s summer breaks. Both fields are proposed to have investments in soils, grading, drainage, lighting, and irrigation to promote improved playability and safety for both the community and Blair High School students.
- Phase one of the project will focus on the track field with improvements to include irrigation, drainage, grading, bermudagrass turf, portable goals, and International Dark Sky compliant lighting.
- Phase two of the project will focus on the multi-purpose field directly behind the school with improvements to include irrigation, grading, bermudagrass turf, softball
infield improvements, portable goals, and International Dark Sky compliant lights.
Background
The Montgomery Blair High School campus is an approximately 42.6-acre property split into two categories of ownership. Part is owned and maintained by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) – Montgomery County Parks and part is owned and maintained by Montgomery County Public Schools. The property consists of two diamonds, an artificial turf rectangle, a track surrounded rectangle, and a practice rectangle with a diamond overlay.
Status/Project Update
Phase one of the project is under construction through the end of the year 2022. Heavy equipment work is expected to be completed in late summer/early fall, with turf grown-in during the rest of the time. The field will open to play in Spring 2023.
Phase two of the project is expected to begin construction in Summer 2023.