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The much anticipated opening of John M. Plevyak Field, part of a $18.5 million capital improvement project to upgrade the athletic facilities at Mount St. Joseph, took place last Friday when the Gaels hosted top-ranked Gilman in MIAA lacrosse. Although the first contest ended in defeat for the home team, the opening of this stunning new facility was certainly cause for celebration in Irvington.
Although construction continues in earnest on the project, which will be completed in three phases and ultimately include the construction of a new gymnasium, as well as a refurbishment of the existing Memorial Gymnasium, Plevyak Field is a beautiful addition to the St. Joe campus.
Situated in the same location as the school's previous stadium, Plevyak Field features seating for 1,000, a new press box, a beautiful new synthetic turf field and state-of-the art track. It also includes a purple-painted student section. Another aspect of the new facility is a purple walking bridge which connects the main academic buildings of the campus to the new athletic facilities. It has already arrived on campus and its installation is underway.
A casualty of the project will be St. Joe's famous outdoor pool. The pool and the adjacent tennis courts sit on the site earmarked for the new gym, which will feature a trophy room and Hall of Fame. New tennis courts will be built in another location.
Among the donors is former St. Joe baseball great and current major leaguer Mark Teixeira. Teixeira, who plays for the Atlanta Braves remains close to the St. Joe community and helped get the project rolling with a $1 million contribution.
The opening of the new field and stadium is exciting for the president of Mount St. Joseph, Brother James, who was eager to address the school's aging athletic facilities, following the previous construction of a new library and other academic facilities.
“We needed to address the physical side of the campus after the spiritual and academic sides were completed,” said Br. James. “We, here at the Mount, educate the whole man in body, spirit, and soul.”
Says Jason Fernande, currently a junior student at the Mount, “The field is amazing looking and I’m sure the gym will be just as nice if not better.”
