Before Wednesday’s ceremony had begun, an unplanned procession of 400 student athletes wound its way across the new turf at the Niagara Falls High School Athletic Complex to shake hands with administrators who oversaw the facility’s construction.

“It is best thing I’ve done in my 33-year career,” said Deputy Superintendent Mark Laurrie, who led the project for the district. “I’m proud of it mostly because of what happened, spontaneously, when those 400 student athletes came and shook the people’s hands.”

The $17.5 million complex encompasses 6.5 acres behind Niagara Falls High School and is composed of synthetic turf, a 1,500-seat football field, pairs of baseball and softball diamonds and three fields to be used for soccer and lacrosse. The cost includes renovations to Nicoletti Field, at Lasalle Preparatory School, where the junior varsity football and other youth squads play.

Onsite as well is a 13,000-square-foot field house with fitness facilities and areas for wrestling and weightlifting, with additional updates to the track, bleachers, scoreboard and press box.

“In 18 very busy months, what was once a blank canvas of grass fields was transformed into an athletic facility,” said district Athletic Director John Forcucci.

The complex accounts for nearly one-third of the district’s 2012 $66.7 million “Inventing Tomorrow” capital improvements project, a venture that the dedication ceremony bookends. Throughout its construction, district administrators repeatedly identified their primary goal as “equity” and “opportunity,” a point Laurrie touched on during his speech.

“I can come watch the games and watch the people from Clarence pull up and say ‘Oh my God, this is Niagara Falls?’ and we say ‘yep, this is,’” Laurrie said. “And then we get the people from Williamsville ... and then we watch the people from Lewiston ...”

Laurrie noted that the comment was not meant to disparage other communities, but to identify the complex as a great source of “pride” for the community and among the “best in the country.”

The ceremony brought out Mayor Paul A. Dyster, members of the city council, and Niagara County legislators Owen Steed and Mark Grozio, two Democrats from the Falls. Grozio echoed Laurrie’s comments, saying the complex is a proud statement to youth and a promise of a brighter future.

 

niagara-gazette.com

Report Abuse