Borough, School District Team Up For Field Makeover

Both Rumson Borough and the Rumson School District in a first-ever joint effort have teamed up to address what they deem is a long-needed improvement: the revitalization of the school’s athletic fields.

The plans for upgrading the fields, according to Borough Administrator Thomas Rogers, include completely updating the existing ball field and also upgrading the current mini soccer field with a full-size regulation soccer field. The project will also expand the blacktop play area and mini basketball courts.

Sod will be laid, and new sprinklers, a backstop, benches and bleaches are all planned to be installed. The project will also address grading and drainage issues, said Rogers, for an approximate cost of $350,000. The final cost will be determined after bids are received.

Rogers said that the School District and the Borough each pledged to pay approximately one-third of the cost, or $100,000 each. The remaining $150,000 needs to be raised by donations.

With about two weeks to go in the fundraising effort, more funds are still needed to make the project a go.

“We’re optimistic people will come and step up,” said Rogers. So far, he said donations have totaled $25,000, and an anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar the amount raised. That means that an additional $50,000 needs to be raised, and the donor will match it with a $75,000 donation.

“If we’re able to raise the money, when school closes we’ll break ground and start the project,” said Rogers. When asked what will happen if the money isn’t raised, Rogers said, “We’ll either cancel the project or carry it to another year.”

Superintendent Scott Feder said that the project started out as a conversation last year between the school and the borough. Discussing shared services and how to maximize dollars between the school district and borough “highlighted the fact that we needed upgrades.” Right now, he said, the field is disheveled, swells exist in the ground, and the blacktop is too small. All got involved and discussed funding and the project got off the ground.

Not just the school children, but the entire town will benefit, according to Feder. Feder said, “No matter how you look at it, the kids are the kids,” and everyone in town will benefit from the upgrades planned at the fields. “Schools are community buildings, why not benefit everybody,” he said, indicating that aside from the school children, after school games and weekend games will be played on the fields.

He said the collaborating with the borough is a natural fit. Feder said that when you look at “how can we work together to improve the quality of life in the town... there’s no way to segregate the town and the school.”

Rogers concurred and indicated that this project will be a community builder and resource for everyone. “I’m optimistic and hopeful. It’s great for the school, the community and anyone involved in recreation,” said Rogers. He added that the revitalizations of the fields, and the addition of a full-size soccer field, are a “huge plus for the entire community.”

“It’s a real opportunity to come together as a community and make it happen,” Rogers said.

Regarding joint efforts between the borough and school district, Feder said that maybe it will mean a lasting relationship. “Hopefully, it will set a precedent for how things can work in the future,” he said.