Middletown’s Athletic Complex Opens

A major upgrade to the athletic facilities and surrounds at the Middletown High School’s campus was approved by the Board of Education and local voters of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown. The $28 million project, with $7 million geared toward construction of a state-of-the-art athletic complex, was under design in 2007.

The architectural lead firm brought on Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture, an expert in K-12 athletic complexes, as their consulting Landscape Architects. Over many months of site evaluation, team coordination, project development and construction review, the facilities grand opening date was set for September 19, 2008. Met with spectacular community response and support, the complex was heralded as the best in the state, with many sectional sport championships being scheduled for 2009.

The complex, or Faller Field as named, begins with the installation of an 8x10 lane fully poured all weather track with associated field events including (4) pole vault pits, (4) long / triple jump pits, steeple chase, discus, and (2) shot put areas. The track is also equipped with an embedded track timing system that instantly displays results up to the new high definition video display scoreboard. The District is currently seeking certification of facility with the I.A.A.F., which is the international governing body for track and field. Within the track is a custom infilled synthetic turf with inlaid lines for football, soccer, and lacrosse.

Surrounding architectural features include a fully functional concession stand, 3,000 seat enclosed bleachers, field house with locker rooms, and a press box with video deck. Additional athletic fields include grass softball, lacrosse, soccer, and Varsity baseball field. Improvements to pedestrian and vehicular circulation around the complex were also included in the project.