The Columbia High School Alumni Association (CHSAA) is embarking on a $4.5 million capital campaign to renovate the CHS athletic facilities at Ritzer and Underhill Fields. Ritzer Field is Columbia High School’s ‘backyard’. This space is used daily for physical education classes and field sports, including soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Underhill Field is a recreation complex located on Burr Road in Maplewood, remote from Columbia High School. Underhill Field includes a running track, football field with grandstands, varsity and JV baseball fields, 2 field houses, a concession stand, and limited off-street parking. The facilities at both locations are also heavily used by the youth recreational programs of both Maplewood and South Orange.

While the growing popularity of high school and youth sports is exciting, the increased demand and overuse of both the high school and municipal playing fields has left most of these fields in a grave state of disrepair. Current budget restrictions on the school district and townships limit opportunities for improvement and therefore require different sources of private, non-public funding. The Columbia High School Alumni Association is committed to raising the funds necessary to restore the former glory of Columbia’s athletic facilities and renew the pride that the students, staff, and community have in our schools.

The school board passed a resolution approving the fundraising campaign by CHSAA to renovate Underhill and Ritzer Fields.  CHSAA hired Kinsey Associates, Park and Recreation Consultants to create a Conceptual Master Renovation Plan for Ritzer and Underhill Fields.  The master plan, completed in May 2007, includes field configurations, recommended surfaces (natural or artificial turf),  and cost estimates for the entire project.  Renovations to the track and football field at Underhill have been selected for Phase I of the project with an estimated cost of $1.7 million.  Phase I improvements include artificial turf on the football field that can accommodate football, soccer and lacrosse, a new track and field event venues, and state-of-the-art-lighting around the football field.  Phase I is scheduled to be completed by September 1, 2008, contingent on successful fundraising.  Upon successful completion of Phase I, fundraising will continue for the balance of the renovations at Underhill and Ritzer Fields.

How did this project get started:

Over the past several years, the CHS Alumni Association has sought ways to support Columbia High School and its students.  Last year, Fred Profeta, Maplewood Mayor and Vice President of the CHS Alumni Association (class of 1957) pledged $50,000 to initiate the campaign to raise money from alumni and community resources to renovate the high school’s playing fields.  A group of community volunteers has joined forces with the CHS Alumni Association Board and is working closely with the school district to ensure the success of this project.

Why can’t the school district bond for these improvements:

The South Orange Maplewood School district is currently in the middle of a 10 year $52 million facilities improvement plan, with bonds issues every few years to pay for major capital improvements throughout its 12 buildings.  The most recent of these capital improvements is the new cafeteria at Columbia High school.  We are fortunate to have beautiful historic buildings in our school district, however the cost of maintaining, repairing and updating these facilities is extremely high.  Due to the property tax stress already imposed on the community, the school board’s improvement plan does not include major renovations for the outdoor athletic facilities.

Why does the District allow youth recreation programs to play on school fields?

The school district has a reciprocal agreement with both Maplewood and South Orange, sharing each others facilities.  Currently approximately 80% of the school district’s outdoor athletic programming occurs on town property.  Therefore, it is imperative to ‘return the favor’.

How will the necessary funds be raised?

Funds will be raised through sizeable individual and corporate donations, as well as a grassroots effort to reach out to all Maplewood & South Orange residents for donations of all sizes.  CHSAA has hired the firm of Zanella Consulting to develop the campaign fundraising strategy and supporting case document.  Thanks to Andrew and Elizabeth Shue, the movie premiere of GRACIE kicked off the grassroots fundraising effort, grossing $100,000 for the project.  Including the Gracie proceeds, approximately $350,000 has been raised/pledged to date and the campaign committee is currently seeking leadership gifts toward the remaining $1,350,000 needed for successful completion of Phase I.  The campaign will reach out to the broader community for donations before the end of the year.