MAY 2007

DC Sports & Entertainment Commission Teams Up with DC Public Schools to Renovate Athletic Fields

(Washington, DC)-The DC Sports & Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) Board of Directors has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DC Public Schools (DCPS) to manage the $21.5 million renovation of several athletic fields and associated facilities.

“Building on the successful renovation of RFK Stadium and construction of the new Washington Nationals Ballpark, we have the technical capacity and infrastructure to facilitate this project,” said DCSEC Chief Executive Officer Allen Y. Lew. “Being able to assist with the renovation of our public school athletic facilities is in line with the Sports Commission's mission. Moreover, it's the right thing for us to do at this time to help improve school facilities for our children.”

Athletic field renovation is part of the DCPS Master Facilities Plan. The fields selected by DCPS to be renovated include: Dunbar Sr. High, Roosevelt Sr. High, McKinley Technology High School, Wilson Sr. High and Coolidge Sr. High. Work will begin immediately and the first phase, including Coolidge , Wilson and Dunbar will be completed by the end of August. McKinley and Roosevelt will be completed by the end of September. Additional fields may be added to the list as funding becomes available.

All facilities will receive the highest quality synthetic field surfaces used at many college and professional stadiums as well as other upgrades to bleachers, press boxes, track & field race courses and other amenities where possible.

“We are proud to support Mayor Fenty and the School Board on this project as they work to revitalize our schools. This agreement gives our student athletes and their parents great hope that their facilities will be much improved next year,” said DCSEC Board Chairman Matthew D. Cutts. “This is a natural progression from the recent field renovations the Sports Commission has undertaken at Fort Greble Park in Ward 8 and Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Complex in Ward 7.”

DCSEC will employ its standing requirement for contracting with Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBE). For instance, on the new Washington National Ballpark, over half of all contracts have gone to local businesses.