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Cleveland Community Field Project
Ready to Break Ground
April 26, 2007
TThe Cleveland Community Field Project
is an ongoing effort by a group of Cleveland High parents
and alumni to renovate the track and field facility
located at SE 31st Ave. and Powell Blvd., for the benefit
of the entire inner southeast community. In the fall
of 2004, lights were installed on the field so that
games can be played in the evening. The next phase
is to refurbish the track and install a synthetic turf
field. Finally, we want to cover the grandstands, replace
the fencing and make improvements to the concession
area and landscaping.
We are ready to
begin phase two of the project. Local contracting company, Lorentz
Bruun Construction has acquired the necessary permits
to begin construction in May. However, the cost of
materials has been steadily rising since we received
our original estimates and we have to reconsider what
we can afford to do this summer. We have recently scaled
back the plans in hopes of still being able to include
both the track and field in one construction phase,
and we are waiting for the final cost numbers.
If we
cannot complete the track and field in one construction
phase, the track renovation will be postponed to another
year. This would be very disappointing because it is
a highly used community asset, and is in desperate
need of repair. We are working diligently to avoid
this outcome, because delaying means that the entire
facility will be closed for two summers for construction,
and there will be additional increases and duplication
of costs.
This project has received support from
foundations, the City of Portland, Portland Public
Schools, and hundreds of individual donors and business
partners committed to the well being of our neighborhood
and the health of its residents. To date, we have raised
over $1.3 million, and $100,000 has been anonymously
pledged as a matching challenge. We need an additional
$500,000 – $800,000 to complete this phase as
planned. We are continuing all fund raising efforts
and are seeking in-kind contributions of gravel and
concrete. It is a big gap, but it is looking promising
that we can bridge it.
Once construction begins, the
stadium will be closed for use throughout the summer.
We regret the inconvenience to our neighbors, but when
it re-opens in the fall, we will all have the benefit
of an all-weather, durable field that will meet the
increasing demand for playing space throughout the
area, and hopefully, a new track that will serve the
community for many years.
Community members are invited
to attend a rally and fund raising event - Run
for the Track - on May 10th at 7:30 p.m.
at the field, to learn more, donate, volunteer, and
have a lot of fun. For more information about the Cleveland
Community Field Project, please visit our contact
page.
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