District envisions revamped sports facilities in future

The Waterford School District has a vision of what new outdoor athletic facilities at Waterford Kettering and Mott high schools would look like.

The district now has renderings by Rochester-based French Associates of revamped football fields and tracks, baseball diamonds and tennis courts at the schools.

“As we look at facility needs, one of them is our athletic facilities, which include master planning and enhancing the facilities,” said Tom Wiseman, assistant superintendent for business and human resources. “There are no timetables or costs set, but we wanted to make sure that it was in place.”

Waterford Athletic Director Richard Dorn said the current facilities are outdated and the district wants to be ready to improve them when the climate is ready.

“The tennis courts and tracks are not in the best condition and Fieldturf would really help the football fields,” Dorn said. “We know there’s a need to take the next step. It’s a dream right now. We don’t have the money or budget.”

The football fields at both schools currently utilize natural grass.

The renderings show a new football field at each school with a track surrounding them, along with revamped stands and press boxes, in addition to separate stands for opposing fans on the other side of the fields. The new facilities would also include redeveloped baseball diamonds and new tennis courts at each school.

Dorn said it would be at least two years before the plans could be considered for implementation, but that the renderings at least give people a chance to see the district’s vision.

Wiseman said not all of the new facilities would have to be developed all at once, but could be done in phases.

“The board would have to give us direction on how to fund it and we would need additional funding,” he said.

He added that he didn’t know what type of funding would be needed for the renovations.