Canton AD Decides Against Using New Athletic Facility This Weekend

While earlier in the week Canton Athletic Director Dee Stephan was hopeful to use the new athletic facility for this weekend's special night games, on Thursday she decided to change course. 

"Because we cannot guarantee the complete safety of the track surface and the fact that we will not move bleachers, I feel it is in our best interest to wait and hold a large-scale opening for the complete facility when the town takes ownership in approximately three weeks," she said. 

While the facility was originally slated to be finished in late September, work continues. The field surface is in but final surfacing of the track is due to begin next week, town officials said. 

Stephan thanked everyone for their work on the logistics of the spirit week games and acknowledged it was a dissapointing decision. 

"However, we must keep in mind that this facility will be with us forever and that we will gain more traction by not rushing and causing any issues," she said. 

Night games that are part of Spirit Week and Alumni Weekend will still proceed. 

Friday night the field hockey team plays at 6 p.m. against Westbrook while Saturday the varsity soccer teams take on Ellington. The girls start at 6 p.m. and the boys at 8 p.m. at Bowdoin Field. 

Special half-time shows will still take place. 

The football team takes on Hyde at 3 p.m. Saturday on West Field.

Other weekend games include varsity Warriors Volleyball vs. Suffield at 4 p.m. Friday, with a JV match to follow at 5:30 p.m.

In away games the JV Boys & Girls Soccer teams will play in Ellington at 4 p.m. Friday.