Cypress Field closing for 18-month renovation beginning March 2021
Contributed by Erin Gallentine
The upcoming renovations aim to create a field that is accessible to Brookline residents of all ages. The field is projected to be closed from March 2021 to August 2022.
Cypress Field will undergo a $5.8 million renovation starting in March of this year.
According to Erin Gallentine, the Commissioner of Public Works in Brookline, the renovation could begin as soon as the week of March 15. The field is projected to be closed from March 2021 until August 2022.
Students will be unable to access the field and playground facilities while the renovation is taking place. Sports teams, extracurricular activities and summer programs that typically utilize Cypress Field will be unable to use the space during this time.
Assistant Head of School Hal Mason said the goal of the project is to create a higher-quality playing field. Gallentine said that the athletic field and playground will receive a full renovation, while the basketball court will be replaced and have lighting installed.
The new surface will be grass and not synthetic turf.
According to Mason and Gallentine, the Cypress renovation was originally slated to begin in March 2020. However, the high school renovation plan faced a $30 million dollar budget shortfall, which delayed the beginning of the Cypress renovation until March 2021.
Gallentine said that a press release detailing the construction schedule will be sent to Brookline families within the next two weeks.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Dan Hernan • Mar 13, 2021 at 12:10 am
I’m just wondering why they aren’t changing it to turf? Isn’t the grass going to get destroyed within one season like it does every year? Is there a specific reason for it? Overall very pleased this is happening, however, the timing is more destructive to students during the pandemic than it would be in a regular year!
Juliet E. • Mar 12, 2021 at 1:21 pm
As a nearby Brookline resident, I beg you to PLEASE DELAY this closure! Kids, who have suffered the most over the past year, need outdoor space!!