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The two new turf fields behind Marshall Simonds Middle School are no longer just a plan — they're under construction.

TL;DR

  • Construction has begun on two new turf fields behind Marshall Simonds Middle School — contractor RAD Sports is targeting an August 30–September 15 opening.
  • The back two fields are fenced off for the summer; the front field stays open.
  • The new complex will include a full-size varsity field, a U10 half-field, a kick wall, terraced seating, an accessible walkway, and a scoreboard.
  • A bathroom feasibility study is underway, with community input planned over the coming months.

You may have already seen activity on the site as RAD Sports, the contractor on the project, began moving equipment off the field this week. Erosion control measures begin in the coming days.

Burlington Buzz caught up with Jeremy Brooks, School Committee member and chair of the field subcommittee, for a quick update on what's coming and when.

What's being built

The project will add a full-size field capable of hosting varsity-level soccer and lacrosse, plus a smaller half-field for U10 and younger. A kick wall will sit adjacent to the half-field. Terraced seating and an accessible walkway will lead down from the school to the fields, and a scoreboard will be installed on the back side of the full-size field.

The timeline

Brooks said the team is pushing for an August 30 to September 15 opening and occupancy window — meaning the fields could be ready for fall sports.

The back two fields will be fenced off as an active construction zone throughout the summer. The front field, Brush Field, will remain open and in use.

The bathroom question

Bathrooms at the fields aren't part of this project, but the conversation about adding them in the future is alive. Town Meeting this year approved funding for a feasibility study, and the field committee spent about a half-hour at their last meeting discussing next steps.

The emerging approach: gather community input first — potentially at town events like Trucktober and Celebrate Burlington — before scoping the project. Brooks said he plans to bring that framing back to the School Committee.

What's still to be decided

One thing that hasn't happened yet: naming the new fields. Brooks said he's open to community suggestions, and he's considering involving middle school students in the process, as well as soliciting input on honoring notable Burlington community members. If you have an idea, you can send it to Brooks directly at jbrooks@bpsk12.org.

This project has been a long time coming — approved by amendment at Town Meeting in May 2024 after an extended debate, then redesigned in 2025 after wetland delineation reduced the available footprint. The revised plan swapped two full-size fields for one full-size and one half-field, shifted the orientation, and added features like the accessible walkway and kick wall. It also came in at a savings over Town Meeting's initial allocation for the project.

If all goes according to plan, Burlington athletes could be playing on the new fields this fall.

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