New Atlhetic Fields Coming to West Roxbury Education Complex

The athletic fields at the West Roxbury Education Complex are about to undergo a bit of a makeover.

A new construction project aims to replace the existing fields with new artificial turf fields, comprising a football field, baseball field, softball field and a multi-use field, according to an announcement this week by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh.

"This is an exciting addition to the Boston Public School athletic facilities system and the community of West Roxbury," Walsh said in a statement. "These improvements will serve the next generation of our students and future civic leaders."

The project will also include the construction of a new six-lane paved running track with spectator stands, three tennis courts and two half-court basketball courts. Moreover, the project will offer a new energy-efficient lighting system, as well as handicap-accessible pathways, which will provide access to the new field areas and the nearby Millennium Park.

"The additional playing fields, artificial turf track field and the new lighting system will enable a larger number of children and adults to utilize the adjacent Millennium Park to its fullest capability," Olivia A. Waslhek, President of the West Roxbury Civic and Improvement Association, said in a statement.

The majority of the athletic field installation work will commence early in 2015, with the overall $18 million landfill capping and athletic field construction project expected to be completed by August 2015.

"Site preparation work started earlier this year, with the relocating of various utilities that serve the education complex," Michael Denneh, Interim Commissioner for the Boston Public Works Department, said in a statement. "The remainder of this year will be used to build up the field complex to support the various athletic fields, including the running track."