Improvements to Point Beach Soccer and Baseball Fields May Begin in Late March

Physical improvements to the public school district's soccer and baseball fields may begin in late March, as part of a broader capital improvement plan funded by private donations.

The improvements to the two athletic fields is part of the fourth capital campaign sponsored by the Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation.

Capital Campaign IV (Cap IV) calls for the complete makeover of the varsity soccer field located on the corner of Niblick and Chicago avenues, according to a prepared statement from the schools superintendent's office.

The Cap IV project plans include new drainage, new sprinklers, fencing, the creation of a new baseball diamond, including dugouts adjacent to the Antrim School, and the complete replacement of the running track located at the Donald T. Fioretti Stadium.  The projected costs for this campaign totals $825,000.

Of that total, $751,000 has been raised so far.

In early February, local contractor C.J. Hesse, of Atlantic Highlands and Manchester, made a donation of goods and services, worth about $512,00, to the Public Education Foundation to help with the completion of these projects, according to district officials.

This donation, along with other amounts raised by the Public Education Foundation, the Antrim School PTO, the Beach High School Boosters, individual donors and local corporations, has pushed the total raised for this campaign to $751,000, the statement says.

The Public Education Foundation will break ground on the soccer and baseball fields (Phase 1) in late March, weather permitting.  The targeted completion date for the first phase is June, 2011 with Phase 2, the running track, to be completed as soon as possible after the completion of Phase 1.

Schools Superintendent John Ravally, executive director of the Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation, stated he is “overjoyed and thankful for the Hesse family’s generous donation and also thankful for the support of the other individuals, organizations, and businesses. The Public Education Foundation’s Cap IV project, once complete, will provide a terrific venue for hosting athletic events as well as provide additional top-notch facilities to support physical education in the schools.” 

Scott Kuzmic, Public Education Foundation president and Class of ’80 alumni added, “The donations received by the Public Education Foundation over the last 19 years has directly impacted each student in both the high school and grade school. Schools in New Jersey are facing cutbacks everywhere, so it's very rewarding to know we live in a community where so many people want to see our children succeed.  The programs and facilities we have helped improve is a testament to that.”

The foundation has completed three other facility capital campaigns – a new CAD Lab for the High School in 2002, outfitting a new fitness center in the high school in 2004, and retrofitting the interior seats, curtains, lighting and sound system in the Thomas F. Crawley Auditorium in Antrim in 2008. 

Since 1992, the foundation, through donations and fundraisers, has raised and given back to the schools teacher grants and capital campaigns totaling $645,000.

Anyone interested in donating to this campaign can contact Ravally at the Board of Education office at 732-899-8840 or Scott Kuzmic at 732-899-8353.