By AIESHA SOLOMON
Courtesy of Aiesha Solomon
After undergoing close to $7 million in renovations, Laurel High School’s (LHS) stadium is open, with school teams excited to use all it has to offer for the upcoming fall season.
In addition to featuring a new eight-lane track, the stadium now includes separate areas for shot put and discus, as well as high jump, triple jump, long jump, and pole vaulting. There is also a netting system in the end zones to keep balls from different sports in play. The stadium is now surrounded by a 10-foot high fence and has ADA-accessible aluminum bleachers for up to 1,600 spectators, with a front area for wheelchairs. The stadium also boasts a new press box, sound system, and LED video scoreboard. The turf field features a drainage system and has ample lighting, allowing the school to host night games for the first time in its history.
Will Smith, project management supervisor of the Prince George’s County Public School’s Capital Programs Department, oversaw the project. Smith confirmed that the stadium has new equipment, including pole vault pads, hurdles, goals for different sports and line markers. Funding also covered new maintenance equipment.
According to Don Cleveland, LHS athletic director at LHS, the renovations have brought the field up to standards for high school sports.
Courtesy of Aiesha Solomon
According to Smith, the renovations were initially projected at roughly $3 million,
“The biggest delay and biggest hurdle was making sure that we received the money that was needed in order to make these improvements,” Smith said, noting that the county contributed $4 million as part of its annual capital improvement program, while the state’s Department of General Services provided a $3 million grant.
Daryl Ferguson, head coach of the LHS boys varsity soccer team, noted that students now have “a good environment, a safe environment” for sports.
“We are excited to finally have a [new] field of our own. I think Laurel deserves it,” he said.
According to Cleveland, the new stadium has sparked more student participation in sports.
“You got people that want to be a part of something brand new,” he said. “Our soccer numbers are way up, our football numbers are way up, and I anticipate that across the board because of the upgraded facility.”
Devonne Powell, a a former LHS football player and 1997 graduate, was very familiar with the old field. Now the school’s head varsity football coach, Powell said the renovations, and in particular the turf field, are “well needed, well welcomed.”.
“As long as we had a great playing surface, that’s all I was concerned about,” he said.
Student athletes are also enthusiastic about the renovations.
Isaiah Brown, 17, a senior, plays football and lacrosse. He is also on the LHS wrestling team.
“People, not just me and the class of 2025, but other people in the community and around Laurel High School, can come around and use the field as well.” Brown said, in a phone interview. “A lot of people were getting hurt on our field, and it was time to make a change.”
Jacinda Gantt’s son William Canery, 17, is captain of the LHS football team and a lacrosse player.
“Every school should have their bleachers done, at minimum, just for the parents that are coming out to support their kids. Bleachers and the field,” she said.
Smith noted that his department is satisfied with the renovation.
Courtesy of Aiesha Solomon
“For me, it’s just really thanking the city of Laurel, thanking our [LHS] principal, [Michael] Dinkins, and our athletic director, Donald Cleveland, for all of their support and just assistance throughout this entire process,” Smith said. “Also, the students and the student athletes for their patience … and working with us while we took on this massive project, and [I] hope that it’s something that everyone is truly proud of.”
