Turf is laid down for Canton’s new multi-purpose facility

The turf has been laid for Canton’s new multi-purpose artificial turf field.

CANTON – Work continues on the new multi-purpose athletic field at Canton High as part of the $3.6 million project to rebuild the parking lot, build a track and field facility and artificial turf field. The green turf has been laid down but work still remains to be done before the field can be used. 

There were hopes to play the school’s annual night soccer games on Saturday, Oct. 5 on the new field but there are questions if it can be completed in time. 

If not, the girls soccer game against Ellington at 6 p.m. and the boys soccer game against Ellington at 8 p.m. will be played under portable lights at Bowdoin Field as they have been each year since 1999. 

Canton’s football team is also scheduled to host Hyde-New Haven at 3 p.m. on October 5. That game will likely be played on West Field, where the football team has been hosting their home games since 2009. 

It’s not likely that football will play on the field this season since there is no scoreboard or any public address equipment currently at the new field. But no final decision has been made at this time.

The project was approved by town voters last November by a margin of 3,034 to 2,112. Construction began in June as soon as the school year was completed. 

Looking toward Canton High.

Looking toward West Field where the football and lacrosse teams host their home games.

Bleachers, a scoreboard and lights are not part of the original project although some surplus money from the project is being set aside for these items. Some surplus money went toward installing poles that could someday host light poles.