Jamaica, NY – Today, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., School Construction Authority (SCA) President and CEO Nina Kubota, students, educators, and community leaders to break ground on a $58.9 million, state-of-the-art athletic field and fieldhouse at August Martin High School.

The new multi-purpose turf athletic field will replace a dilapidated and outdated track-and-field, which students and community members stopped using years ago due to its dangerous conditions. A modern fieldhouse will also replace the existing facility.

Speaker Adams contributed $2.5 million in capital funding for the project, which is slated for completion in April 2027. The athletic field will be ready for use for the start of the 2026-207 school year.

Photos from the groundbreaking are available here.

“The students at August Martin High School and our Southeast Queens community deserve neighborhood spaces that reflect their brilliance and greatness,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “For too long, the track and field at August Martin High School has been a dilapidated eyesore and in a state of disrepair due to disinvestment. I’m proud to have secured city funding to reconstruct a state-of-the-art athletic field and fieldhouse that will serve our neighborhoods for generations to come and will soon become a source of tremendous pride for our entire Southeast Queens community. I thank the School Construction Authority, the Department of Education, and our partners in government and community for their hard work on this critical project.”

The new facility will feature a main field that will be used for football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, and baseball. The turf field will also incorporate track and field elements, including long jump, high jump, and shotput pits. Additionally, the project will include new basketball, tennis, and handball courts. A new scoreboard, new drinking fountains, LED flood lights, and a new drainage system will be added to the field.

A new, modern 6,522-square-foot fieldhouse will be built on the campus, and it will house locker rooms, a press box, an office, a multi-purpose room, new restrooms, and storage space. Outside the fieldhouse will be bleachers that can seat 812 spectators, including ADA and companion seating.

“Sports fields are integral spaces in our communities. These fields offer moments of celebration, build resilience, and cultivate unity for students, families, educators, coaches, and neighbors alike,” said Chancellor David C. Banks. “Our students deserve the best facilities that we can offer them, and I am grateful for the partnerships with the School Construction Authority, Council Speaker Adams, and the many others who helped bring this project to fruition.”

“One of the most visible upgrades we make to our school infrastructure involves our athletic fields, which provide critical facilities to both schools and communities,” said Nina Kubota, President and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority. “Improved facilities provide a safer and more conducive environment for athletes and modernized fields enhance the overall experience for participants and spectators while fostering a sense of pride and engagement in schools and their teams.”

“The diverse student body of August Martin High School deserves nothing but the highest quality amenities, both inside and outside the classroom. Constructing a new, state-of-the-art athletic field and fieldhouse for the school’s student athletes will deliver on that critical mission,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “As someone who has invested millions of dollars into upgrades at August Martin High School myself in recent years, I could not be prouder to take part in today’s historic groundbreaking or to work hand-in-hand with our city partners to provide the best, most well-rounded education possible for our students.”

“The groundbreaking of the August Martin Athletic Field and Fieldhouse project is a welcome development,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “Improved athletic facilities can play a significant role in promoting student well-being and fostering a sense of community. I look forward to following the project’s progress.”

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