Weston Field (Williamstown)

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Weston Field - the grandstand and press box were constructed in 1988 and demolished in December 2013

Weston Field is a Williams College athletic facility in Williamstown, Massachusetts.[1] It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Williams Ephs football team along with the Williams College track & field and lacrosse programs.

History

In 1884, Williams College purchased the land of the present-day field site from the Sherman family on Meacham Street. In 1886, ex-Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Byron Weston donated $5,300 to the College. This money was used directly to help the grading and drainage of the complex. By 1893, Weston Field encompassed 13 acres and included facilities for baseball and football. Weston went on to contribute another $2,500 over the course of his life to help fund the creation of an athletic track and the construction of the original grandstand that was constructed in 1901.The first major renovation of Weston Field came in 1988, when the current aluminum bleachers were built on the east side, along with a three-story press box.[2]

Geology

Weston Field is adjacent to Christmas Brook that drains more than 640 acres of higher ground to the southwest of downtown Williamstown. The field’s location near Christmas Brook and associated wetlands has made it susceptible to recurrent drainage problems. A thick, impervious layer of clay beneath Weston Field keeps the groundwater close to the surface during any wet period. Former Williams College football coach, Dick Farley, reflecting on Weston's history recently recalled a memorable muddy game. The 1995 Williams versus Amherst, televised by ESPN, was played in a quagmire; neither side was able to achieve significant yardage resulting in a 0–0 tie. [3][4]

An engineering study submitted to the Williamstown Conservation Commission details the various soils present and hydrology issues that are associated with Weston Field. These problems will be rectified during the current renovation.[5]

Current Renovations

This December 2013 photo shows the current work-in-progress

On October 15, 2012, Williams College President Adam Falk announced a $22 million renovation project with new facilities for football, field hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s track. Construction began immediately after the 2013 Williams-Amherst football game and is expected to be completed by the 2014 football season.[6] The new facility will include artificial turf on the playing fields which will allow four-season athletic practice.

References

  1. ↑ To Weston Field at williams.edu
  2. ↑ The Williams Record – Christopher Weihs October 31, 2012
  3. ↑ The Berkshire Eagle – Howard Hermon – November 9, 2013
  4. ↑ iBerkshires – December 11, 2013 – Dick Farley, Former Williams Head Coach, recalls Weston Field’s history.
  5. ↑ Conservation Commission Submission Weston Field – May 9, 2013 by Clough Harbour & Associates, LLP CHA Project No. 24790
  6. ↑ Dravis, Stephen (31 October 2012). "Williams College's Weston Field Project Starts Next Fall". iBerkshires.com. Retrieved 20 November 2012. 
Activities
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Coordinates: 42°42′26″N 73°12′12″W / 42.707101°N 73.20346°W / 42.707101; -73.20346

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