Bartram to score a new $3 million sports complex in 2019

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Bartram High School broke ground Tuesday on a new $3 million sports complex to be completed in 2019, 70 years after the original was built. Upgrades to the field will include synthetic turf instead of natural turf; a rubberized track instead of a cinder track; and a renovation of the grandstand.

“This is a great day for the students and families of Southwest Philadelphia,” said Mayor Kenney. “Sports and recreation facilities are essential for children, for they provide a safe environment for play and foster a sense of self-worth and community. This new and improved athletic complex will not only be a valuable addition to Bartram High School, but to the surrounding community as well.”

In addition, the configuration of the field will allow for more student athletes to use the facility more often. Football, girls’ and boys’ soccer, girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, and field hockey will be played on the field.

The field will accommodate more students wishing to play sports such as football— complete with new goal posts — soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. There will also be space for discus throw, high jump, pole vault, and a jump pit.

“We are proud to be able to continue to make investments in our schools, like the one we are celebrating at Bartram today,” said Superintendent William Hite. “We are making such significant progress – from making major upgrades to athletic facilities and expanding our Career and Technical Education programs, to modernizing early literacy classrooms and transforming our computer labs. We cannot afford to lose this exciting momentum.”