Improvements on Old Rochester athletic fields begin this winter

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional High School athletic fields will be improved from the winter of 2025 until the winter of 2027 with a $750,000 grant from state Rep. William Straus. 

The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met Thursday, Nov. 20 to discuss the future of the school’s athletic fields. 

Superintendent Michael Nelson discussed five improvements that will happen during construction, including a well for an improved irrigation system and new grass on all the fields.

“Obviously there is no secret in terms of how incredible this opportunity is to improve our athletic fields,” said Nelson. “We are extremely grateful to get these one-time funds outside of our operating budget,” said Nelson.  

The fields will be put to rest this winter and worked on throughout the next two years. The Committee does not know where field athletics will be moved in the meantime. 

“Although I know [this] is a disruption, the investment in the time allowing the fields to rest and mature will be able to preserve them for use for years to come,” Nelson said. 

Local landscaping company, Yard Boss, will be carrying out landscaping and engineering firm, Activitas, will handle the building and project planning. 

This winter drilling for the new well and irrigation system will take place alongside adding an irrigation pump with completed electrical wiring. 

In the spring, the irrigation system will be finished and the grassless areas on the softball field will be reconstructed. The grass in the outfield areas of the softball and baseball fields will be replaced.