Conceptual drawings show plans for astro turf at Christiansburg High School along with a new softball field near the school’s current baseball field.
The Montgomery County School Board has announced plans for Christiansburg High School to receive a new turf football field.
During a recent meeting with supervisors, plans for the Christiansburg strand were unveiled that shows the field and a rubberized track to be installed in the spring of 2018.
The estimated cost for what the county is listing as Phase 1.1 is $1.5 million. Alex Wilkens, who is in his first year as head coach at Christiansburg, is excited about the plans that will remove a crest on the center of the current field.
“I think the nicest thing about having the turf field will be the ability to actually see the opposing team on the opposite sideline on Friday nights,” he joked Sunday.
“No, I think that the best thing about this will be just the fact that the elements and use don’t affect you nearly as bad. Given the fact that we use that field from recreation games all the way to high school games, a turf field is going to allow the wear and tear to not be such a factor for our top-down football program,” he said.
Another positive aspect, according to the coach, is being able to do everything in practice at one spot, which will be a time-saver as well because it will cut down on travel time.
“There will also be a sense of pride and new beginnings that goes along with having a new Friday night home environment. Anytime you get something that’s new and nice, much like we’ve seen with the new weight room, people tend to take pride in that and want to be a part of it,” Wilkens continued.
Phase 1.2 includes a fastpitch softball field to located to the east of the current high school baseball field. In addition, stands will be installed at the baseball field.
Over the past few weeks, construction crews have been working on the baseball field’s backstop and are installing a new drainage system. That project should be completed in the next few months.
Phase 1.3 of the Christiansburg plan includes the construction of a field house adjacent to the CHS football field along with a new concession stand, restrooms and entrance to the field. The price tag has been estimated at $900,000 for the locker rooms and $1 million for the rest of the project.
Wilkens calls the field house another major asset.
“I think that the new locker rooms will be a real asset for the team in that we won’t have to travel so far to and from the field on Friday nights. That will give us the ability to go inside at half-time and it will give us more time for adjustments. It will also allow us to be more separated from the opposing team before and after games; which also helps,” he said.
All of the plans are tentative but on the table for the school board and at final approval for funding by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Overall Wilkens said the projects are just another plus as he takes to the field for the first time this fall.
“I am extremely excited about what this means for the high school, but also the whole community. I think that it will give the entire community something to be excited about and makes the town of Christiansburg more appealing. I truly believe, and there’s a lot of research to back this up, that solid sports programs at a school make the school a more appealing place to be for students.
“When kids enjoy being at school and the extracurricular activities it provides, the whole school is more successful- – from morale, team spirit, and test scores. The successful schools are one of the most important factors considered by families wanting to live in an area. This brings new families, new businesses, better tax-base, etc. Needless to say – I am a huge advocate of these plans and will be spending much energy supporting this. It can change the entire community of Christiansburg,” Wilkens concluded.
The sports additions are part of a larger plan that keep the high school at its current site with renovation and new construction taking place over a period of five years.
