Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll announce that work continues on a series of planned improvements to the Old Rochester Regional High School athletic fields.
Retired state Rep. William M. Straus secured a $750,000 earmark for the Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District in the 2022 Economic Development Bill to invest in the athletic fields at 135 Marion Road in Mattapoisett.
The project includes refurbishing the school’s baseball and softball fields and installing a new irrigation system, which will restore a large portion of the athletic complex and ensure its long-term durability.
The athletic facilities primarily serve the needs of Old Rochester Regional High School freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams. The fields include a multi-purpose grass field (utilized by the soccer, lacrosse and football teams), a track and field (utilized by the track and field and field hockey teams), a baseball field, a softball field and two grass practice fields. The facilities are also regularly utilized by town recreation leagues for youth sports by the townspeople of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.
The district partnered with a Weymouth-based landscape architectural firm, to manage all phases of planning and construction. The firm has been working with Superintendent Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howard Barber, Facilities Director Eugene Jones, Principal Devoll and Athletic Director Chris Carrig throughout the process. Members of the ORR Facilities Subcommittee, including Frances-Feliz Kearns of Mattapoisett, April Nye of Marion and Joseph Pires of Rochester, as well as the full School Committee, have also been closely involved throughout the process.
To obtain qualified proposals within the scope of available funds, the District structured the work into five tasks.
Task No. 1 continues on the first phase, which is drilling the irrigation well that will supply water to the full complex. The remaining tasks will take place from now through the spring:
Task No. 2: Irrigation well pump and electrical supply (fall/winter)
Task No. 3: Irrigation system installation (fall/winter)
Task No. 4: Softball skinned infield reconstruction (spring)
Task No. 5: Outfield natural grass renovation (spring)
Because the work involves rebuilding natural grass surfaces and allowing new turf to establish strong root systems, the athletic fields will remain unavailable for use from now through spring 2027.
“Our goal has always been to protect this investment and deliver fields that will serve our students and communities for many years,” said Superintendent Nelson. “We are grateful to former Rep. Straus for securing the funds that made this possible and to the local officials, committee members and administrators who helped us keep this project on track. This is a full team effort, and we are excited to see the work begin.”
District leaders are planning alternate arrangements for high school teams during this period, including adjusted schedules and potential use of other fields in the Tri-Town area.
“These improvements will elevate many of our athletic programs,” said Chris Carrig, Old Rochester Regional High School Athletic Director. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during a short period of temporary schedule adjustments and alternative game locations, but we know it will be well worth it in the end. I’m thrilled to see these field improvements implemented, and our athletes will surely appreciate this comprehensive renovation.”