Ever since the groundbreaking of Newark Memorial High School’s new turf and track construction project last September, school community members have held much anticipation for its completion, which is scheduled for the end of Friday, Aug. 29.
The new turf and track will help the high school’s numerous athletic teams, such as football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field. It will also be a great classroom for all of Newark Memorial’s physical education classes.
The design process for the project that replaced a 25-year-old turf began in the spring of 2023 after it was approved by the Newark Unified School District Board. The improved field features a sea of green, modernized artificial grass and a bright blue, yellow and white cougar in the center. The track around the field has been freshly coated with blue and gray synthetic rubber material, and included bright white numbers and lane-dividing lines.
The long jump and triple jump areas are now coated with synthetic material as well, and improved to have concrete surrounding the areas. “It provides an opportunity for our teams to be on a more modern facility,” said Newark Memorial athletic director Rachel Kahoalii. “Things that have impacted us in the past, like weather, will not impact us as much.”
Although there were slight delays throughout the year due to rain that caused oversaturation of the ground, the project did not run into any major roadblocks. The athletic community has taken steps to maintain the quality of the infrastructure. Sweeping and cleaning are required maintenance to make sure that the installed infill, which is put in between blades of artificial grass to maintain their upright orientation, stays fresh.
“Right now, what they’re trying to do is eliminate any types of shoes that would damage the track,” said physical education teacher Ryan Hanohano, “and then, as far as protecting it from the football cleats, we have a mat that covers the track. So when people enter from the blacktop to the turf, they go across a mat rather than the rubber track.” This precaution is put in place because shoes, like football cleats, have sharp studs or metal spikes that could tear, rip or create holes in the rubber material, affecting runner performance and leading to costly repairs.
“We’re just excited to have a place where students can continue to be proud of their school”
Newark Memorial High School principal Michael Murphy
Even before the official opening, Newark Memorial put the turf to good use, using it to host the Class of 2025’s graduation ceremony as well as the first days of physical education classes. “We’re just excited to have a place where students can continue to be proud of their school,” said Newark Memorial High School principal Michael Murphy. “Alumni can come back and equally share their pride with the renovation.”
With new renovations such as improvements to the school’s swimming pool potentially being scheduled, the school’s athletic future looks bright. As for the official opening of the project, Kahoalii said, “We do hope to be able to have a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 29 that’ll be our first home football game.”
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Friday, Aug. 29
6:45pm
Before the varsity football game
Newark Memorial High School
39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark
