A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction of a new track and field at the Jamaica Educational Campus.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new multipurpose track and field at the Jamaica Educational Campus on Tuesday, April 28.
The Jamaica Educational Campus. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
The new $7.7 million track and field is being built behind the school building, located at 16-01 Gothic Dr. in Jamaica. The Jamaica Educational Campus houses the High School for Community Leadership, Hillside Arts and Letters Academy, Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences and Queens Collegiate.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
In addition to track events, the new surface will also be used for football, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket. It will be the first New York City public school sports field to support cricket, which has grown increasingly popular across the five boroughs.
Construction work is already underway. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“When I looked at the sports that were on this list, I felt deeply gratified. Gratified that any kid from around the world coming here will feel a sense of belonging with so much access to so many different sports,” Samuels said. “When we have wonderful fields like this, that gives our students the incentive to make them feel that we want to invest in them. They really offer opportunities for students to challenge themselves beyond the classroom, and they help students build friendship, teamwork and collaboration with their peers. I’m grateful for all the work that will go into this project.”
Kamar Samuels and Donovan Richards at the groundbreaking. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Richards and Samuels were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by New York City School Construction Authority President Nina Kubota, borough education leaders and administrators and student-athletes from each of the four schools housed within the campus.
Several students from the Jamaica Educational Campus were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“It’s a pleasure to be here today, as we break ground on a project that represents so much more than new construction. It’s an investment in the students, families and entire Jamaica High School community. At the School Construction Authority, we’re proud to partner with New York City public schools to deliver projects like this. Projects that are shaped by collaboration and driven by a shared commitment to student success,” Kubota said. “Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a major transformation of this athletic field. This $7.7 million investment would bring in the state-of-the-art turf field with the track, new lighting, digital scoreboard, upgraded drainage and new bleachers. We’re also improving locker rooms and adding equipment for multiple sports.”
Kubota addresses attendees of the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Construction of the new track and field is expected to conclude as early as August.