By Max Zaninovich, Sports Editor
As many Vikings know, the old softball, baseball, and tennis courts all need updating. The lack of drainage on the lower soccer field, which was also the softball field, would constantly flood whenever it rained. Overgrown grass would make playing hard for athletes. Although the tennis courts have been updated in the past six years, it’s time for a fresh start.
Due to bond Measure L from the district, all schools were given funding to update their sports fields. This funding requires a 55% pass rate, and fortunately 41,647 (57.45%) people voted yes on the bond. Although 30,708 (42.55%) people voted no, it was still enough to pass a $385 million obligation. It was approved and launched December 17, 2020. On May 20, 2021, the Board heard a construction update on Measure L. Mills and Capuchino were the last to start construction, improving stadiums and fields.
This summer, construction started on the rebuilding and updating of the tennis courts as well as the baseball and softball fields here at Mills. The baseball and softball fields should be finished by November next year. The tennis courts should be done the earliest, around August next year. The new fields will all be turf fields. Similar to the old football field, grass was hard to maintain, constantly turning brown or growing weeds. With the new turf, there is no longer any worry about maintenance of grass or floods. New lights will also be a part of all of the fields as well as added to the pool. The new tennis courts will be more spread out and in a new, more accessible layout.
As a result of the new MAC, all Mills soccer practices and games will be played on the football field. No longer will half of the soccer season be played on one field and the other played on the football field. Since football is a fall sport and soccer is winter, the teams can practice and play without interference from each other.
Like all construction, there are some minor changes to deal with until the fields are ready. For staff and teachers, the faculty lot is closed, forcing some of them to find new parking spaces. Most exits on the east side of school, including the Foreign Language, History, and English halls, are locked from the outside. Typically, students would use the back exits to go from hall to hall, but now everyone has to go through center court.
Despite these small inconveniences, expectations are high for the new fields. Mills principal Ms. Duszynski stated that the Mills High School athletic facilities, aptly nicknamed the MAC (Mills Athletic Compound) “will be the best athletic facilities in the entire district.” Mr. Keller, the athletic director, has also expressed his anticipation of the modernization. Since it’s been quite a while since the sports fields have been updated, he’s hopeful the construction will be a success and accomplish everything needed.
The construction has caused quite a change at Mills. The entire lower field will be completely changed by the time the MAC is usable. Construction might take over a year, but it will certainly be worth it to use and enjoy a brand new athletic facility.
