46°
UPTON, Mass. – Blackstone Valley Tech just recently broke ground on its new Trask Athletic Complex in Upton. The site, which sits on more than 4 acres, will be the new home for BVT's softball team including a parking area.
The plan is also a "Green" project that ensures environmental protection in surrounding wetlands. The project was spearheaded by land donations by Harvey Trask, for whom it is named after and the Estate of Anna F. McGill.
BVT is self-funding this new project, and while the land donation was made to the school over 8 years ago, the project was delayed to further spare surrounding communities the cost of further funding this project.
“This project is important for the District with regard to attracting students, but we have also seen evidence of the benefits that a quality athletics program can have on students,” stated State Representative John Fernandes (D-Milford). “It is very nice to see this project being fulfilled.”
The project will consist of three phases, Phase 1, which consists of land clearing and erosion control, Phase 2 includes the incorporation of appropriate stormwater drainage and field maturation and Phase 3 includes the construction of parking lots for the facility. Total project costs are estimated to be approximately $450,000.
Additional land abutting the complex was donated to BVT as well and contains wetlands and conservation land that will be marked as nature trails, and utilized by the school to promote environmental awareness for the benefit of students in the District and the greater community in the Blackstone Valley. Planned school uses include a vegetable garden, and honeybee habitat for the Culinary Arts program.
"The development of the Trask Athletic Complex marks the beginning of a project that will be continually developing even after the softball field and parking lots are complete,” said Jim Brochu, Director of Construction/Facilities for Blackstone Valley Tech. “We plan to utilize our students and skilled teaching staff as we further enhance the Trask Athletic Complex and Willard Preserve by building stone walls, performing selective cutting of paths, nature identification and marking among many other constructive educational projects.”
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills. The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
Comments