MBUSD, MBX officially open West Field to community

Michael Todd

Online News Editor

The new West Field at Mira Costa was officially opened on Nov. 1 by members of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District and the MBX foundation.

Members of the band and choir performed before the opening along with the varsity cheer team. The new field is now being used by several sports teams, such as soccer, football and baseball. The field was set to officially open on Oct. 3, however it was delayed  because of the events that transpired at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest music festival.

“I’m surprised we were able to have the opening this early,” Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “We had to have the mayor, all of the architects, and the coaches which led to some difficulty in choosing a day that would fit into everyone’s calendar.”

The grass field that was there prior to the turf being put in was plagued with holes. Also, the grass was hardly growing anymore, which is why the district felt that the new field was necessary, Dale said. The old field was also unsafe and led to many injuries, according to junior soccer player Josh Gaudiano.

“There is a huge difference when you compare the new field with the old one,” Gaudiano said. “The old field was very hard to play on due to the holes and the new field was a necessary change.”

The district paid $6.2 million to put down the new turf and rip out the old grass. The MBX foundation also donated $2 million that was raised through their summer school program along with several fundraisers.

“It is nice to not have to worry about injuries or other things while playing,” Gaudiano said. “It allows us to just play and focus solely on the game.”

The field is now complete, and soon construction is set to take place on the gym as a part of measure EE, which was passed in Nov. of 2016. This measure will replace the 65 year old gymnasium utilized by the community and district by constructing and equipping a new gymnasium, physical education and activities center.

“If you saw the old field, you’d know that it would need to be replaced,” Dale said. “The old field was awful and hazardous, and the new field is beautiful.