LETTER: Install Turf at Victory Field Oval, Field House Should be Part of Renovation

Dear current and past friends of Watertown, as well as future families of all athletes!

Phases 2 and 3 of the Victory field track, which includes turf in the oval, along with new tennis and basketball courts, are up for final consideration. Almost 20 years ago, I stood in front of the community along with Councilor Vinny Piccirilli and the full Council of Watertown expressing the importance and benefits of a field turf facility encompassing the football and baseball areas.

The design and implementation of Phase 1 of the Victory Field complex has been nothing short of spectacular for our athletes, our physical education department, and for the recreational activities of the entire community. In addition, since the installation of the field turf in Phase 1, the technology and safety of the turf installed at that time have improved considerably. This was documented and implemented two years ago with the resurfacing of the field.  The new technology meets the highest standards of safety for all participants.  

Sadly, phases 2 and 3 of the project ran into unforeseen economic issues, a pandemic, as well as an aggressive false narrative on safety that dominated the conversation, creating delays for 15 plus years.

On Wednesday November 6th the city held a community meeting on the project, its first since 2018. Surprisingly, discussion at this meeting didn’t include the installation of field turf currently found on the football/baseball fields and left the critically important phase 3 off the table altogether. This part of the project includes locker rooms and a new field house for all athletes.  There were roughly 40 residents in attendance. What stood out to me was the high number of student athletes in attendance, along with the Superintendent of Schools, the Chair of the School Committee, the Chair of Athletics, the High School Principal and the WHS Athletic Director. Many spoke, and each expressed the importance of Phase 2’s installation of field turf in the oval, as well as the continued need for equity for all students, the unfortunate existence of inappropriately late practice times, and the fact that our grass fields are often closed due to normal New England weather wear and tear. Because of my former involvement in Phase 1, I am supporting the professional staff of the Watertown Public Schools and asking Councilor Piccirilli and the full City Council to take a vote to reconsider field turf in the oval.

The average family with children, busy schedules, and prior commitments usually finds it difficult to attend late night meetings to express their support about the need and importance to complete both phases of this project. That all changed Wednesday night! The time is now for the community to understand there are more voices than a small group of vocal residents that have the time to push their will and agenda. 

Please email Councilor Piccirilli and the full Council expressing your support for field turf and completion of phases 2 and 3 in unison. Reach out the Council as a whole at [email protected].

JD Donohue
Standish Rd