Frequently Asked Questions > Project Location > What has been the level of support among athletes and coaches at CCHS?

19 CCHS coaches (covering virtually all of the outdoor sports team that use fields) have signed a letter in support of this project.  Athletic Director Barry Haley (and the former AD Brent Clark) and the CCHS Principal Art Dulong  have been strong supporters.  Phil Gibson, the current CCHS golf coach has been actively involved in this project and has made himself very available to answer questions to anyone on campus who has had questions.

The two new playing fields on CCHS property will be used by CCHS athletic programs during weekdays and provide new opportunities for club and intramural programs - which can not be accommodated today due to the lack of playing fields on the campus.   And as importantly, the Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee has voted three times (August, November and in January) to support this project - each time unanimously.  

One CCHS coach -- the coach of the Cross Country team -- has spoken out against the program, believing that the cross country trail will be in his words "obliterated".  The C-C Fields working group has attempted on several occasions to engage him and involve him in plans to re-route and enhance the trail, but he has declined to involve himself in the plans.  In addition, the CCHS trainer, a neighbor on Brister Hills has been a staunch opponent.
It is difficult  to measure the support or opposition among CCHS athletes as few are registered voters - but we have had several letters of support from some members of the boys soccer team.
We have generally tried to avoid a situation where we're involving kids as this project has sadly been very politicized with many mis-statements and mis-representations generated by the opponents (e.g. cross county trail will be obliterated, corporate sponsorship, cell towers will be built on site, field turf is toxic, field turf will spontaneously combust in hot weather, etc.).

Last updated on May 23, 2007 by Webmaster