The Kenmore Tonawanda School District broke ground for a major construction project Tuesday. WBFO's Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley reports district leaders gathered at Adams Field off Parker Boulevard late Tuesday morning in Tonawanda to kick-off a $52 million Phase 2 Capital Project.
“A lot of glory here on this field,” declared Dick "Sparky" Adams. Adams stood on the field, formerly Parker Field, named after him as an invited guest of the district. Adams had a long-time coaching career at Ken-Ton high schools and now the field where he coached will be getting a makeover. New turf and extensive upgrades will take place at Adams and nearby Crosby Field in Kenmore.
There will also be significant improvements to high school and middle school auditoriums.
Schools Superintendent Dawn Mirand said this will enhance learning and sports for students.
“This is a very important day for the Ken-Ton School District because the work that begins today will achieve two of our critical goals; helping the district capital and financial sustainability for the years to come and maintaining our facilities, and ensuring that our students have access to the best possible instructional, athletic and auditorium facilities,” Mirand stated.
School leaders gathered around a mound of dirt at Adam's field using gold shovels for a ceremonial ground breaking to begin the capital project at the field and other school sites.
Assistant Superintendent John Brucato said significant improvements are underway at elementary, middle and high schools buildings.
“Primarily at Lindbergh Elementary, Edison Elementary, the Hoover complex, Franklin complex and both high schools, East and West,” said Brucato.
The district is working to recover from some major challenges this year including a tax revenue loss of $2.7 million from closure of the Huntley facility and the decision to close Roosevelt, Hamilton and Kenmore Middle Schools due to population losses.
Voters approved the capital project back in 2014. The district said much of the funding for the project came mainly from the state.
