Austin Preparatory School
Athletic Campus Redevelopment
Reading, MA
Gale was engaged by Austin Prep to complete an athletic campus needs assessment and master plan, which led to planning, design, permitting and construction administration services for an athletic campus redevelopment. The multi-purpose game field was severely overused with a chronically broken down root zone, and the track was heavily deteriorated and not a standard 400 m layout. The spectator seating did not meet ADA, life safety, or structural codes. The facility lacked appropriate concessions and equipment storage, and restrooms did not meet plumbing code requirements. There was no athletic lighting and the facility was encumbered with wetlands on three sides and a steep embankment on fourth. Gale provided the following solutions:
- Durable, near all-weather infilled artificial turf game field with permanent markings for multiple sports
- 1,500-seat grandstand and press box constructed into the steep hillside entering from the rear at grade
- New 400 m urethane surfaced track and field facility with all required field event venues and equipment
- Video display scoreboard; ball safety netting systems behind each goal crease, new Musco light structure, split-level amenities building with restrooms, concessions equipment
- Over 600 ft of segmental block retaining walls, requiring several major utility relocations
- Creation of over 3,000 sf of wetlands replication