Samo reopens newly renovated athletic field

Hilary DubinStaff WriterGathered around the glistening new field, students and faculty swayed to the Samo marching band’s rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Synthetic Turf Athletic Field.The field, which had been under construction since before the start of the school year, finally opened to the public on Oct. 27.“It’s kind of symbolic,” Athletic Director Daniel Escalera said. “The kick off to the field opening represents the coalition between the school and the city.”At about 3:30 p.m., School District Board Vice President Ben Allen, School District Board Member Oscar de la Torre, Superintendent Sandra Lyon, Prinicipal Laurel Fretz and City Council Member Gleam Davis made a few brief speeches to open the event. Each of the captains from all of the sports teams stood on the stage and said a few words in appreciation for the renovated field.After the festivities around the stage, the city council members cut the symbolic ribbon to kick off the freshman football game against North Torrance.In general, the students, parents and faculty who attended the event were very satisfied with the outcome of the field and the opening ceremony.“The one word I can say is fabulous. It’s just as perfect as a field could be,” retired Samo teacher and football coach Michael Griswold said.All sports programs will benefit from the field, whether they are training in the off-season, or playing their home games on the turf. For the soccer program, this means playing home games at Samo rather than at John Adams Middle School, which will hopefully improve student turn out and support.“I think it's cool that now we can have soccer and football games here because now it’s a lot easier for students to come and watch,” Junior Spencer Cramer said.Students will not only benefit from the field through school athletics but also through outside sports organizations within the community like the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO). According to Escalera, the field will do a big part in bringing community together, especially given that the city will also utilize it and rent it out.“I think the field will have a positive effect on the community because it’s a better environment to come and work out in and people will start utilizing it more because it’s much nicer now,” Junior ASB Student Member of the Board and Coordinator of the Field Opening Caroline Huber said.The one million dollar construction was funded by the City of Santa Monica Redevelopment Agency as part of the Civic Center Joint-Use Project. According to the district website, the project’s goal is to provide and enhance the Santa Monica High School Campus with new athletic facilities and improve the opportunities for cultural and recreational activities for the City of Santa Monica.“Just having something this nice and this new brings a sense of pride back to the school,” Senior ASB President Hunter Conrad said.hdubin@thesamohi.com