Lawrence district finishes soccer field renovation as football fans ask why
The middle school soccer field, redone for about $570,000, will host varsity soccer, but the football team still has no home games.
The Lawrence school district completed a renovation of the soccer field at Lawrence Middle School on Aug. 8, according to the Nassau Herald. The Board of Trustees approved the project in April with a $300,000 bid, but final costs came to about $570,000 including new bleachers, said Superintendent Ann Pedersen. The field will serve as the home field for Lawrence High School's varsity soccer teams, with sod installed early enough for roots to develop before the first games.
Pedersen said the field was completely redone to fix drainage and irrigation, which caused a slight delay. The new bleachers are not ready for the season, so the district is encouraging fans to bring lawn chairs and will have temporary seating. The project was not part of the 2025-26 school budget.
The renovation comes as residents keep questioning why the football team has no home field. Mike DeRosa, an alumnus and longtime supporter, said the team will play all eight of its games away this season. He noted that soccer teams could use the field for 10 to 12 games, while football would need only four home games. "Why can't this football team play a game there?" DeRosa asked.