Quakertown Community School District officials formally unveiled the district’s new multi-purpose field at a grand opening ceremony and community event on March 22, drawing a crowd of students, athletes, parents, school board directors and administrators.
Located next to the Sixth Grade Center on the corner of S. 9th and Main Streets, the state-of-the-art field will be used for baseball, field hockey and soccer. Features of the field include artificial grass, a new batter’s eye and a lighting system to illuminate games into the evening. The field serves as a much-needed facility for high school athletic programs and is a viable location for community recreational leagues.
At the event, head varsity baseball coach Jonathan Pallone opened the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for the field on behalf of Quakertown Community School district athletics.
“For far too long we have yearned for a place to call our own during those crucial months of March and early April, today that yearning transforms into a reality,” Pallone said. “This field represents more than just a place for baseball, soccer, and field hockey, to play, it symbolizes the heart of our community where dreams are nurtured, victories are celebrated, and life-long bonds are formed.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Friedman roused the crowd further by encouraging students and athletes to share their enthusiasm for the new field followed by a ceremonial first pitch by the Board of School Directors and the first home game of the season by the Panthers Varsity high school baseball team.
“This field is more than just a patch of grass or turf; it is a symbol of our commitment to providing our students with the resources and facilities they need to thrive both academically and athletically,” Dr. Friedman said. “It represents countless hours of planning, dedication and collaboration among our community, administrators, school board and stakeholders. Besides sports this state-of-the-art field will serve as a gathering place for our community, fostering a sense of belonging and comradery for all who use it.”
On behalf of the board of school directors, Todd Hippauf, board president, expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders involved including contractors and community members.
“Thank you to the many individuals who made this day possible. Also, to Coach Jon Pallone, for never giving up. This would not have happened without you. I would also like to acknowledge our invaluable partnership with St. Lukes, and to you the community, as this would not have happened without all your support,” Hippauf said. “As I said I would keep this brief, I only have one more thing to say, play ball.”
As a valuable investment for the district, the new field addresses a previous drainage issue and provides future cost savings due to low maintenance and the minimal upkeep needed throughout the seasons. The original field was in a low-lying area which caused games to be canceled due to flooding and unplayable conditions. Another benefit of the new field is its location, which is within walking distance of the high school.
Andrew Klitsch, varsity baseball player and high school senior, noted the personal impact of the new field. “This is an amazing experience to be a part of and compared to what we had in the past, this state-of-the-art field is incredible. Most sports teams in the area don’t have anything like this, and I am proud to be a part of this historic day.”
St. Luke’s University Health Network in Quakertown is a long-standing supporter of the school district and has assisted with funding an upgraded digital scoreboard in addition to partnering with the school district to provide athletic training services at no cost.