Back in May, in this very blog, a project that was quietly taking place at Wayne Jamison Field was discussed. In that blog, Bridgeport High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Tom Sears assured folks it was going to be a show piece when completed.

 

Sears was not wrong.

 

Last week, the latest community driven project at Jamison Field was finished. And like some in the past, it is hidden in plain sight.

 

Of course, when it is a locker room, it is meant to be behind closed doors. And for those not knowing, behind a set of those closed doors in the building that also houses the Jamison Field concession stand is the new Bridgeport High School boys and girls soccer team locker rooms.

 

“As we said the last time we talked, this was going to be state of the art, and it is state of the art. The one thing I was wrong about is that it exceeded everyone’s expectations as it relates to the finished project,” said Sears.

 

The new locker room replaces the previous facility in the original fieldhouse, which is just prior to the new press box building when entering Jamison Field. That original fieldhouse building is also home to the recently renovated Bridgeport Middle School football locker room that is utilized by the BHS track program.

 

“We’re so proud that our soccer kids will have a locker room they can be proud of and excited for them to utilize the space before and after their games, and also utilize the space for film study,” said Sears. “It is a really nice addition for our athletic complex and, if you are able to see it, it stands out in a complex with a lot of things that stand out.”

 

The soccer teams were able to get their first glance shortly after the start of practice last week. Needless to say, it was not just a massive upgrade from the past facility, but a pleasant look at what they will use this year and for the foreseeable future.

 

“A lot of them were surprised with how it started out with a storage unit and how those involved with the project were able to turn it into what it is right now,” said Sears. “We’re so grateful for everyone that had a hand in this.”

 

Ironically, the upgrade came a year after the boys captured the first title in school history. The girls also made the state tournament field last year. Both teams are expected to contend again for a Class AAA crown this year.

 

Like all past projects, it was not as simple as finding a location.

 

Seeing the need is one thing. Knowing how to do it, where to do it, and how to fund it are different hurdles.

 

“We first looked at upgrading the existing area and had conversations about building in a new area. The new area downside is you would take away space from parking and other things, and that space is already at a premium,” Sears said.

 

Eventually, a pair of storage bays, including a garage door, in the concession stand building was considered. Officials needed to determine if the space could be converted and found out it was more than adequate.

 

“Once we figured that out, we needed to figure out funding and figure out a way the finished product would be something everyone could be proud of,” said Sears previously.

 

The answer to the funding came through Applied Construction Solutions (ACS) and the Alvarez Family. While Sears said there was school funding involved, he said the bulk of the bill was picked up by ACS.

 

“I really want to thank the Alvarez family for their time and effort,” said Sears. “Their contributions toward making this happen for our students now and well into the future will always be appreciated.”

 

Although Sears did not have an exact cost, he said it was easily in the tens of thousands of dollars. He added the bulk of those costs were covered through the work and materials provided by the Alvarez family and their business.

 

There are new lockers, as expected. There is a vinyl wall covering that looks as if it was painted on. There are televisions installed for film study. There is also a signature Indian arrowhead from the ceiling and a whole host of other features.

 

“It’s pretty special,” said Sears.

 

And so are those who helped make it happen when it was needed. Those types of goals, like the ones the soccer program scores on a regular basis, are almost always met.

 

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Drew Pomeroy; photos taken by Sarah Dodson.