Even a worldwide pandemic can have a positive unintended consequence.
The portion of the Marlboro Central School District that called for the renovation of the high school track and football field was originally scheduled for spring 2021, which would have prevented the Iron Dukes from hosting meets late in the season.
However, with sports postponed until at least Nov. 30, and nothing expected to happen on the track and football field until March, the district was able to move the renovation of the track and field to the fall, where it won’t affect any athletes.
“We asked if they were available in the fall because we don’t have anyone out there in the fall,” athletic director Jonnah O’Donnell said.

Track
The work started on Sept. 18 when workers started tearing up the track. Both the track and the football field were about 14 years old and the track was showing its age.
“It was pretty bad,” boys’ track and field coach Pete Carofano said. “It was over a decade old with the amount of use it gets, not only from interscholastics, but also community members who use it. I think anybody who had walked the track or used the turf field knew the condition it was in and that it needed an upgrade.”
The athletic site aspect of the Marlboro Central School District’s Vision 2020 Capital project began on the track and football field area.
The project, which was approved by Marlboro Central School District voters on May 21, includes refurbishing the track and turf on the field.

Coaches and architects also looked at moving the pole vault area so it would not only not interfere with the high jump area but also allow the district to host larger meets by putting in two high jump areas.
“The issue is that its in the same vicinity as the high jump. Sometimes the kids overlap with runs and approaches,” Carofano said. “It was an issue.”
However, they couldn’t move it, despite looking at several options, including moving the pole vault outside the fence.
“Seemed like wherever we tried to move it, there was some kind of issue,” Carofano said. “We just couldn’t seem to find the right spot, so it had to stay where it is.”

Football field

While the work on the track is being done, workers started rolling up the turf on the football field.
Marlboro football coach Brian Beck said these fields usually last about 10 years. Marlboro got 14 years out of the turf.
“(O’Donnell) has always been meticulous about it being treated the right way,” Beck said. “Overall, it was in decent shape. It was playable and safe for everybody.”
Still, the field was showing its age. Even though the pellets were put down for the rubber every year, some of the seams had to be resewn, especially the lines where the colors meet.
The field would get heavy use, as well. Not only the football team. The soccer team uses it and the baseball team likes to get on it.
“What better time than now?” Beck said.
The field and track are projected to be completed by the holidays and should be ready in time for the postponed fall season to begin in March.
“It’s not really impacting any students right now and participation in sports,” Carofano said. “We can’t do anything anyway in terms of practice. Now seems like the perfect time. Weather’s still nice so we’re not battling the elements yet.”

New athletic wing
The plan also calls to expand the high school’s fitness center to better support athletes and the school’s physical education programs.

“Part of the plan is to make it more of an athletic area,” O’Donnell said. “We’re working on the weight room and trainer’s room and making a multi-purpose room to use as a classroom. When we designed it, we started with what physical education needs and then worked it into athletics”
It also moves O’Donnell’s office from the second floor to the athletic wing.
“I do a lot of stairwork around here,” O’Donnell said. “I’m up and down constantly, especially during games.”
The projected $19.49 million Capital project will be funded by about $11.6 million in state aid and $3 million from the district’s reserve funds and $1.5 from the Capital reserved. The district borrowed the balance.
“It seems like there’s a lot of positivity around the upgrade,” Carofano said. “The students realize the need for it and the need to reinvest in our school, our fields and our athletic programs, and give them something they can take pride in for the next 10-20 years.