By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — It was a long time in coming, but the Olean City School District cut the ribbon Friday afternoon to officially open its new turf field and playground facility.
Using a pair of giant-sized scissors, District Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris cut the ribbon standing with Board of Education President Julio Fuentes and others responsible for the new complex.
Students, teachers and others gathered on the turf field and sat in the bleachers during the short ceremony.
Located at 401 Wayne St., next to the Olean Intermediate School, the complex was recently completed at a cost of $30 million.
Business Administrator Jenny Bilotta introduced officials and individuals who helped guide the project by Campus Construction Co., Williamsville.
The project was first approved in the weeks before COVID-19 struck in March 2020, Bilotta recalled. On top of pandemic delays, extensive contamination was found at the site as construction began, which required an additional $5 million to remedy.
Bilotta described a steady stream of trucks taking contaminated dirt from the site and later more trucks bringing in clean fill.
Bilotta also noted that the turf field and playground were built “with no increase in taxes” — even after they found out another $5 million was needed to clean up contamination from the site in March 2023.
“I want to thank the community for their support,” Bilotta said. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of the community.”
Morris said that while the project was conceived and initiated earlier, it represents “a commitment by the district to provide the best facilities to our students.” She thanked all those involved in the facility for their “hard work, dedication and your service.”
“It’s a great day to be a Husky,” exclaimed Fuentes. “There’s a lot of hard work, a lot of time and preparation that went into this project.”
Lee James, an aide to Rep. Nick Langworthy, said the congressman was unable to attend, but she read a letter from him congratulating the school district on the new facility and presented a proclamation to Morris.
A second ribbon cutting was held at the playground after the official opening of the turn field.
