Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road, rang in the new school year with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 23 for its new turf field, according to Avon Local Schools officials.
The renovations are the latest in a line of athletic improvements made by the Avon Local Schools this year, such as the high school’s new tennis courts installed in May.
Avon Schools Superintendent Ben Hodge said the project started in April and unofficially wrapped up at the end of July.
The field will be used by the city when not in use by the schools, according to district communications director Julie Short.
“The renovation was a joint project with the city of Avon and the Avon Local Schools,” Short said. “The field is going to be used for Avon Local Schools boys and girls soccer programs; boys and girls lacrosse programs and football.
“When the school district is not using the field, the city will be using it for their youth programs.”
Hodge said it was important for the district to create something that could be used by the community.
Additionally, the new turf will allow for further expansion by district athletic teams, he said.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” Hodge said. “Right now, with one turf field, and even this year, we have another JV girls soccer team, so you need more field and practice time for them.
“Some of our varsity teams are practicing after other games.”
The ball travels differently on turf, making practice on grass nearly obsolete for some sports, Hodge said.
The new field will allow teams to spread out their practices, he said.
Avon High School athletic director Erich Frombach said the numbers for fall athletics have blown up over the past few years.
Specifically, the lacrosse tryout numbers of boys and girls have dramatically increased even compared to just two years ago, Frombach said.
He said the new field will help the district supply its ever-growing athletic department with valuable practice space.
“Within our community, (lacrosse is) blowing up, and it’s a new sport,” Frombach said. “The youth community, the girls and boys programs are at an all-time high.
“We probably have, you know, 100 boys and girls. For a new sport, that’s pretty amazing.”
Since 2021, lacrosse participation has nearly doubled, Frombach said, and the sport enrollment boom shows no signs of stopping.
He credited the Avon community for encouraging the district’s students to become involved in extracurriculars.
“Our parents, the culture in our community, is that people value extracurriculars, no matter what they are,” Frombach said. “Our kids like doing stuff, and there’s value in it.
“That, to me, means that they’re having a good experience.”
