Varsity Soccer Field Move Under Consideration

Varsity soccer, which calls Alumni Field it’s home, begins play in less than a month. With the return of the season, returns concerns over the safety of the field.

The issue is that in addition to varsity soccer, Alumni Field is also home to multiple beloved community events including the Manchester Community Fair and the Annual Chicken Broil. With the safety of varsity soccer players in mind, steps were taken to minimize damage to the field over the summer, notably moving fair workers’ trailers so they lined the field instead of resting on it. Still, the concern over damage persists, and compelled the School Board last Monday at their July meeting to discuss the possible relocation of the varsity soccer field closer to the main Manchester Athletic Complex.

At the meeting, board member Chris Fegan asked for, and was granted permission to create a special committee to look into the moving of varsity soccer’s home field. The committee will be lead by Fegan with members representing district maintenance, the athletic department, and the athletic boosters.

Alumni Field over the years has been home field at one time or another for most of Manchester’s outdoor high school sports, and when soccer was added as a varsity sport, considerable effort was put into readying the pitch. $20,000 was raised for various improvements, and the boosters donated $4,000 to install a sound system. Even with all the updates to Alumni Field, referred to as a “utility field” at one point during the school board meeting, it is noticeably aged compared to the main athletic complex. During the School Board meeting John Mooneyham told the board Alumni Field condition is “the best in 30 years” and Athletic Director Wes Gall spoke favorably about the state of the grass. Still, the multi-use nature of the area as well as drainage issues, are a challenge to deal with and a concern to parents.

Last minute repairs before the season begins.

The special committee will consider the current issues with Alumni Field, and the new challenges which would come with a move. With the district especially concerned with costs, the board charged the special committee to give concrete numbers for the possible field relocation.

Using the varsity football practice field was suggested as the easiest place to move varsity soccer, too. A community member has offered to move the poles for a reduced fee, but there are more barriers to overcome at the practice field including the lack of electricity, lighting, fencing, score board, press box, and bleachers. With all that would need to be done to ready the practice field for game play, the committee will also consider other areas within the athletic complex.

Any change of field would only apply to high school varsity soccer and Manchester Soccer Association teams would continue to play on Alumni Field.

For now, Alumni Field has been deemed playable, with a few repairs scheduled once the ground dries enough to be workable. After hearing favorable reports on the current state of the field from the A.D., head of maintenance, and varsity soccer coach as well as the short time before the season begins, the board decided varsity soccer should continue using Alumni Field while the special committee creates their report.

Boy’s varsity soccer will play their first home scrimmage against Ypsilanti Arbor Prep on August 19th.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Danielle Muntz

Danielle lives in Manchester Township and has many interests which she takes part in with varying degrees of success. She can be reached at Danielle.Does.Stuff@gmail.com.