Former Superintendent Jeff Simons cuts the ribbon and officially opens the new turf field and track behind Howard L. Goff Middle School on Tuesday, August 25.
The East Greenbush Central School District officially opened its new turf field, six-lane track, and multipurpose courts at Howard L. Goff Middle School on Tuesday evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the field. Former Superintendent Jeff Simons, who led the district for nine years and was a driving force in the current capital project, cut the ribbon surrounded by his family, student representatives, school administrators, current and former school board members, and construction partners.
Moments after the ribbon fell to the turf, a crowd of students ran onto the field and began playing football. Other families in attendance walked the new track and strolled down to the multipurpose courts to play basketball.
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“The new field and other athletic facilities at Goff represents the special commitment the community of East Greenbush Central School District has made to our youth,” Mr. Simons said. “I am truly humbled and honored beyond words that the field was named for me. I was privileged to serve this special community and so grateful for the support I received.”
The new athletic facility behind Goff is part of Phase 1B of the “Building a Bright Future” Capital Project.
Construction will continue at Goff with the building of a new access road connecting Hays Road to the Goff parking lot, a renovated school library, a new baseball field, and other athletic field improvements. Future work will include replacement of the elevators, renovated locker rooms, a new music classroom, and renovated front entrance to the school.
For now, students, staff and community members will be able to enjoy the new athletic facilities behind Goff. The primary use will be for Physical Education classes and interscholastic athletics, but the track and courts will also be open to community members when not in use by the school. (The community track schedule is available here.)
Other phases of the capital project include items such as replacement of HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality and adding air conditioning throughout all five elementary schools, classroom additions at elementary schools, library renovations in all schools, new playgrounds, athletic field improvements, upgrades to sidewalks and parking lots, and infrastructure improvements at all schools.
“Seeing a project through to fruition can be remarkably rewarding,” said Assistant Superintendent Lisa Mahar. “It can modernize classroom space, improve heating and cooling, improve functionality or in the case of our current project, add wonderful resources such as new athletic fields and tracks as a community asset. Thank you to every person who supported this work and is here celebrating this milestone with us today.”
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Assistant Superintendent Lisa Mahar
Senator Jake Ashby
North Greenbush Supervisor Joe Bott
Former Superintendent Jeff Simons and Former Board Member Mike Buono
Board President Kim Turner
Students playing football at Simons Field
Former Superintendent Jeff Simons and his family