UCS breaks ground on Stevenson, Swinehart athletic complex improvements

UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Utica Community Schools broke ground on the future site of Stevenson High School’s new baseball and softball fields and tennis courts Jan. 14 and then broke ground Jan. 29 on athletic complex improvements at Swinehart Field.

The UCS Board of Education and Superintendent Robert S. Monroe were joined by student athletes and other representatives at the site of the Stevenson playing surfaces at the corner of 16 Mile and Dodge Park roads in Sterling Heights, and at Swinehart Field, 47255 Shelby Road in Utica.

The improvements are part of the $550 million bond issue approved by voters in May of 2023.

The Stevenson project will repurpose existing fields and consist of an athletic complex with synthetic-turf softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, plus a concessions and restroom area. The project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026.

Stevenson High School is landlocked and the project will provide space for an eventual expansion of Runkel Field.

Swinehart Field’s improvements will consist of an enhanced fan experience with a concourse and new concessions and restroom areas, improved press box and visitor bleachers, and replaced paving. It is planned to begin this spring and conclude for the fall of 2026.

Projects from the bond issue began this summer, and athletic improvements are the next steps.

Safety is the priority. Summer projects included walls and doors at facilities with “open concept” designs, several parking lots, upgraded playgrounds and replacement of doors and hardware as needed.

The projects also included the current reconstruction of DeKeyser Elementary.

Monroe said at the Stevenson groundbreaking that it is an example of the transformative nature of the 2023 bond.

“The work we are doing here addresses long-standing needs in the Stevenson community for replacement and expanded facilities, but it does it in a different way. It creates a complex that addresses safety through the replacement of fields and courts while positively transforming the experience for our students, their families and visitors from surrounding communities,” he said.

He said they appreciate the support the community showed, and the district is committed to effectively use the money.

“The Stevenson complex is being built on land we currently own and can repurpose to meet the needs of our students and community. Our facilities serve as the heart of our community. With the support of voters for our 2023 Safety and Success Bond Issue, the Eisenhower High School and Utica High School communities will have a stadium that will inspire our teams and strengthen our community’s sense of pride around our schools,” he said.

He said they are celebrating the district’s legacy.

“Through the upcoming work at Swinehart Field, we are showing our respect for this legacy by creating a standard that will benefit student athletes now and well into the next generations,” he said.

Landon Cooke, a Utica High School junior, said that from his experiences, he believes sports are very important.

“They teach people how to be better individuals and connect us with our classmates to form strong bonds. They also instill a sense of pride in one’s school, bringing everyone together to cheer for their team. Part of this pride is something I’ve heard from coaches many times; it’s called ‘defending your home turf.’ Having a new state-of-the-art stadium to defend and call home makes the sense of pride that students feel in their athletics even stronger, a feeling that will be enjoyed by many students and athletes for years to come,” Cooke said.

Carson Sweet, a Stevenson varsity baseball player, said he would like to say thank you to the community. 

“By saying yes to the bond, you said yes to students. Because of your generosity, UCS students will be given more opportunities to excel in sports, which opens doors for college scholarships. By saying yes to the bond, you said yes to making a difference in athletes’ lives because athletics isn’t just about sports. It’s about the teaching of valuable life lessons like leadership and perseverance. It’s about creating a sense of family. By saying yes to the bond, you said yes to all of us,” he said.

He said their teams are looking forward to playing at this new facility.

“This field is where our Titans will condition and train for the up-and-coming season. It will represent a community of student athletes striving to build a program,” he said.