BALDWIN PARK – Baldwin Park Unified is using the summer months to upgrade the tracks and fields at Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools in preparation for the 2017-18 school year.

Football, soccer, track and field, and band students will be welcomed back by new artificial turf and updated running tracks that maintain the highest safety standards available.

“The field updates are part of the District’s mission to provide a safe environment for our students and help them perform to the best of their abilities,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said. “We are grateful to our staff for their hard work to ensure that students begin the year with these terrific facilities.”

Construction on the $1.9 million project began June 5 with local contractor AFE Sports installing the new turf and tracks. Work is expected to conclude on Aug. 14, the first day of classes.

The artificial turf being replaced lasted for 10 years; the new turf is estimated to last for 10 to 12 years. The new turf uses an interwoven nylon threading, which will maintain a cooler temperature than the previous turf. The new tracks will feature an all-weather rubberized artificial running surface with new start-finish lines.

BPUSD_FIELD_1: Construction crews are hard at work replacing the artificial turf on Baldwin Park High School’s football field and upgrading the campus track for the 2017-18 year. The project is expected to be completed by Aug. 14, when students return to school.

BPUSD_FIELD_2: Baldwin Park Unified upgraded the field and track at Sierra Vista High School this summer. The school’s new artificial turf should last for 10 to 12 years. The track includes new start and finish lines.