“If you build it they will come …”

By Brooke Holmquist

There are several fields at Aptos High where students’ dreams were born, took shape, and soared to amazing heights. Now the Aptos Sports Foundation, with the help of PVUSD, has added another to that list.

If you’ve driven up Mariner Way, surely you’ve noticed what used to be the dirt lot, its sole purpose a mud pit for 4-wheeling, is now a brand new athletic field!

For years, sports teams at the high school have been desperate for another practice field. During soccer season, four different teams were sharing field time and practicing sometimes until 10 p.m. It was the same story for lacrosse during the spring when the track was on the field.

So, about two years ago, the Aptos Sports Foundation saw an opportunity and jumped on it. A company was doing some construction work nearby and needed a place to dump their extra dirt, we gave them a spot, and the new field at Aptos High was born.

A lot of hard work later, and thanks to the Aptos Sports Foundation collaborative partnership with the District, the grass field also has a marked parking lot, spacious bathrooms, a lighted pathway, and even netting to catch errant balls.

The high school will utilize the field as a practice facility for various levels of football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. Outside organizations, like the Aptos Soccer Club who is already a tenant, can rent the field space for their competitions as well.

If you haven’t seen it, we urge you to take a drive and check it out. We also urge you to look beyond the grass and dirt and see the possibilities of what a student-athlete can achieve, not only during their high school career but also in life.

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For more information about the Aptos Sports Foundation visit: www.aptossportsfoundation.com