Construction on a new turf football field and track at Christiansburg High School will cause some major adjustments to the spring sports schedules at the school.
The plans will cause the Blue Demons soccer and track teams to play home games on the road.
The school’s athletic director Tim Cromer said Monday the football field will be closed this spring. “Lacrosse is practicing on it until the work in the stadium begins this spring, and we hope they will get started (with construction) between March 1-15,” he said.
The track team practices at the current facility but will have to shift to Auburn or Blacksburg in the near future.
The boys soccer team will play one home game at Auburn High School, six home games at Eastern Montgomery High School and one at Virginia Tech. The girls’ soccer team will play two home games at Auburn, five at Eastern Montgomery and two at Virginia Tech.
The track team will not have a home meet this spring, while the lacrosse teams will be an exception, as they will play all of their home games either at the old Christiansburg Middle School or at the new middle school.
A year ago, the Montgomery County School Board announced the project, which includes a turf field and rubberized track. A combination of other upgrades to Christiansburg’s athletic complex is planned in the next five years with the football field being listed as Phase 1.1 at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.
Phase 1.2 includes a fastpitch softball field to be located to the east of the current high school baseball field. In addition, stands will be installed at the baseball field.
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 listed at $900,000 for the locker rooms and $1 million for the rest of the project.
Cromer said the target finish date for phase 1 (football field and track) is June 30.
“That will be in the contract though we hope it will be done a little sooner than that,” he said.
The public will not have any access to the track for walking or exercise for the next 3-6 months.
Additionally, the construction and future turf field will cause the town to move its Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display.
Town spokesperson Melissa Demmitt said the downtown festival will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as it did last year.
Then, fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:15 p.m. from the Truman Wilson Park property near Walmart and the New River Valley Mall.
Parking and viewing for the spectators will be at Walmart and the New River Valley Mall.
