CLIFTON PARK - The Clifton Park community passed the resolution by a mere handful of votes 18 months ago, but on Friday night a packed house was in attendance for the rededication and ribbon cutting of the renovated Shenendehowa Athletic Complex and Brent T. Steuerwald Stadium.
Fans were welcomed with a newly designed entry way from the main parking lot into the gated complex. The entry way is now home not only to ticket sales, but permanent concessions and long anticipated rest rooms.
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Prior to Friday's contest against Schenectady High School, the Shenendehowa administration, members of the board of education and student-athletes took center stage at mid-field, standing behind the newly painted Shen logo at the 50-yard line for the re-dedication.
"Thirty years ago Brent Steuerwald had a vision as an athletic director about the type of facility Shenendehowa needed for its student athletes, school and community," Shenendehowa Director of Physical Education and Athletics Christopher Culnan said. "I'm glad to say 30 years later, that vision is alive and well in what you see here today.
"Without question Shenendehowa returns to its rightful spot atop the high school athletic facilities," Culnan said. "We again have a type of facility that students, coaches, parents and our community can be proud of."
The $3.5 million project was approved by a slim margin and was tied into physical improvements to the Shenendehowa Campus, making it eligible for aid from New York State to help reduce the overall cost and impact to the taxpayers.
While the facility is dominated by the white painted gridiron on the FieldTurf surface, the artificial turf surface will now be the daily home of all interscholastic football levels, field hockey and lacrosse, provide a weekend home for the Jr. Plainsmen football program, but also provide the physical education department to move daily classes outdoors to use the field, extending the outdoor sessions later into the fall and earlier in the spring.
"Every part of this is tied into physical education," Culnan said about the project. "Every student who attends Shenendehowa will utilize that field whether they are a student-athlete or not."
Shenendehowa Board of Education President Janet Grey was on hand at the dedication to thank the project's supporters.
"This is not just Coach's dream, it was the dream of an entire community and tonight we dedicate it to that community," Grey said during the ceremony. "I am as deeply moved as I was a few short months ago when we dedicated the pool. All of these accomplishments were achieved by the work of dedicated and committed people, not the least of which were our students who stayed the course and found out that hard work truly does pay off, on and off the field."
She also added that the Clifton Park community may have found a new focal point.
"I have lived in Clifton Park for almost 20 years and over the years there has been an ongoing debate of where downtown Clifton Park should be," Grey said. "It is our hope with all the opportunities and all the great facilities on this campus that the heart of Clifton Park and all the surrounding towns is undeniably right here."
Shenendehowa Superintendent of Schools Dr. L. Oliver Robinson kept his comments brief and provided some weighty knowledge to the thousands in attendance. The project took 111 working days to complete; 2,200 pounds of pavement is under the track; 6,500 feet of drainage pipe under the track and field itself; ;8,800 tons of stone under the track; 35,000 pounds of rubber make up the track you see; 150,000 pounds of urethane used to pour the track 800,000 pounds of rubber and sand that filled the mix that makes up this field.
"I share that with you because often times people see the end product and say what's the big deal?" Robinson said during the dedication. "This is a big deal. This is a big deal tonight and this will be a big deal for years to come. For many of you who have gathered here tonight, the completion is viewed as long overdue.
"However, I know there are some who still question why we made the investment. Regardless of your perspective, there is one undeniable viewpoint and that is the stark reality that our students now and for generations to come are better off because of this investment."
With Shenendehowa coach Brent Steuerwald on hand, along with members of the school board and Culnan, the ribbon was cut to a roar of applause.
Fittingly, Shenendehowa went on to a stunning victory over visiting Schenectady, 28-27, scoring a touchdown and completing a two-point conversion with 22 seconds left in the game.
