Seward High School will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the high school’s brand new turf field before this weekend’s 9-man football game between the Seward Seahawks and the Nikiski Bulldogs.
The ceremony, put on by the high school, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough, begins at 4:30 on Saturday, Sep. 13.
“They worked feverishly and did just impeccable work, and it was ready to go. They stormed right on through,” Seward High School Athletic Director Ronn Hemmstock said of the field’s construction. “It went right along, and everything came together, and the field’s in great shape. It’s wonderful.”
Construction of the field began in late May of this year, and although the track around the field has not been completed yet, the Seahawks are excited to see their defending state championship football squad use the new turf.
“I think it’s a pretty big deal. You know, they’re really excited to see the rubber on the track when that happens. But yeah, they’re pretty excited about it,” said Hemmstock.
In a community that sees as much rain as Seward, Hemmstock said the field design is a welcome change from the previous grass field, which did not drain very well. “I went down here when we were having that big flood, and they’re working the river to keep the bridge from washing out, and, you know, you could go on the field. And it wasn’t wet. It really has good percolations. Everybody’s pretty excited about that. You know, no mud holes anymore.”
Last season, the Seahawks won the inaugural 9-man football state championship, and with a number of last year’s starters returning this season, Seward looks poised to bring a second straight championship to the high school.
The Seahawks and Bulldogs game kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Anyone in attendance is invited to stay after the game to celebrate the new field with free cake and cookies.
