Construction Of New JFK High School 'Mustang' Baseball Field In Woodbridge Starts

Written and submitted by Woodbridge officials:

Mayor McCormac and Dr. Zega noted that the new JFK High School synthetic turf baseball field replaces the original grass turf field built subsequent to the construction of JFK High School in 1964.

The new JFK baseball field will include synthetic turf in the outfield and infield, clay pitcher’s mound and batter’s box, new outfield fencing, scoreboard and lighting.  The field will accommodate Varsity and Junior Varsity baseball, boys and girls soccer teams, the JFK Cheerleader Team, and Marching Band. .   

The JFK baseball field construction is part of the larger School District Facilities Improvement Project initiative by the Township to rehabilitate School District sport and athletic fields, spectator stadium bleachers and stands, playgrounds, auditorium theatres, and other public-use school facilities. 

The investment in new and revitalized public school facilities is financed through tax incentives (Payments in Lieu of Taxes or PILOT’s) that corporations and businesses pay to the Township when they locate a new business or expand an existing business. 

The Township bond to finance the projects – funded via corporate PILOT agreements - will remove the financial obligation from the School Board to fund facilities projects directly from the annual school budget, allowing more funds in the school budget for curriculum and direct classroom expenditures that will serve to further improve the education of each and every student in Woodbridge Township.  As importantly, the school facility renovation and upgrade initiative benefits the entire community and serves to dramatically improve property values.  By implementing the PILOT financing, school district tax funds are not being spent on sport or recreation infrastructure, but are reserved for educational amenities.  The JFK High School baseball and multi-purpose athletic field is budgeted for $860,000 via dedicated funding derived from the CPV PILOT project.