On Wednesday Jan. 29, the Utica Community Schools (UCS) superintendent Robert Monroe held a groundbreaking ceremony at Swinehart stadium, welcoming incoming renovations. 

“I think one of the things that I’m most proud of today is that our focus is around what we can do for our students in the future, making sure that we give them the best not only of academics, which I think Utica schools does, but also gives them state of the art facilities as well,” Monroe said.

With future generations in mind and supporting fans, Swinehart will undergo changes which include: replacing paving, Improving the fan experience, updating the press box and home and visitor bleachers.

“I think it’s just providing the quality of space that matches the quality of student athletes and students in the school. You had good teams, you had great teams, and your facilities didn’t represent it, and all these [renovations] do,” Principal designer Mark Reeves said.

During the ceremony, Monroe emphasized the importance of every present and future sports teams that have or will play on Swinehart. The field also represents a home to the lacrosse, soccer, cheer and dance teams as well.

“The most exciting part is that future athletes will have a stadium now to call home and will have the top facilities to make new memories,” senior Lacrosse player Luke Masternardi said.

These renovations are not only for the athletes but for the numerous supporters showing up consistently for UCS sports teams.

“We want to support our teams, we want to support our athletics, we want to support all of our kids, all of our programs no matter what you participate in,” Monroe said. “We want to give our students and our families the best experience we can possibly give.”