FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2024

City & Kingston School District Officials Join Tour of Dietz Stadium Construction

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that he, along with City of Kingston and Kingston City School District officials, toured the Dietz Stadium construction site with the project manager this week to get a progress update. 

“Project Manager Jack Schoonmaker gave us a tour of the construction site at Dietz Stadium this week, to update City officials and members of the school board on the progress,” said Mayor Noble. “We were all pleased to see the significant work that has been done to date, and that the project is currently on schedule for substantial completion by August 31, in time for the school’s fall sports events. I want to thank Jack and all the contractors who have worked through the winter to keep this enormous project moving forward.”

Dr. Paul J. Padalino, Kingston City School District Superintendent said, “Several board members and administrators had the opportunity to tour Dietz Stadium with Mayor Noble and his team. We are very happy with the progress that has been made so far and are looking forward to getting our students back into this upgraded facility.”

The Dietz Stadium construction project is currently at approximately 35% completion and is on track with the master schedule. Uncovered rock removal slowed the demolition and mass grading process, but mild winter weather has helped the project stay on track.

Mass re-grading of the site has progressed to complete the loop around the entire site. Rock removal from the site continues with total rock exportation at 2260cy (142 truckloads) to date. Concrete footings and foundation walls for the new ticket booth, visitor concessions, and visitor side storage building have been installed and the new concrete slabs are nearly complete. 

Asbestos abatement was completed within the grandstand first and the interior grandstand demolition is now complete. New interior footings and foundation walls have been poured and the structural supports for the new field-side access tunnel are installed. Grandstand exterior demolition and preparation of the concrete and brickwork is finished. New storm water and sewer lines have been installed to the Joys Lane connection, and installation of the new water main from Hurley Avenue is continuing. Electrical and plumbing work is ongoing. Necessary removal of aged and distressed trees has been completed to allow for new sustainable green infrastructure to be installed along with over 125 new trees.

The construction pace will pick up substantially this spring. The remaining contractors will be mobilizing soon to replace the turf and track and install the field lighting and scoreboard.

Project Manager, Jack Schoonmaker said, “The City of Kingston and I have been very fortunate to have this team of contractors diligently work together toward a successful completion of the project. The design team at CPL has been able to quickly address issues as they arise and have provided me with great administrative and management assistance.”

The Dietz Stadium Project is projected at $21.5 million. That total includes $3 million in grant funding. The remaining amount, approximately $19 million, will be shared with the Kingston City School District.

The Dietz Stadium improvements to renovate and modernize the stadium complex include:

• Exterior renovations of the grandstand, including improved ADA access, a 50-yard line access tunnel to the locker rooms, new benches, and press box upgrades

• Interior renovations of the grandstand, including upgrades to the restrooms, new locker rooms, new mechanical/ electrical services, coaches offices, training room, and improved storage facilities

• New track surfacing, new turf field, and new LED stadium lighting

• New scoreboard with large screen broadcasting

• All new underground utilities: water, sewer, storm, electric & communications

• Removal of the old concession building and admin building and construction of a new 100’ x 36’ open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth, and referee locker room

• Visitor side concession area with two restrooms

• Expanded grassed practice area with a track & field equipment storage building

• New gated ticket booth grandstand entrance

• Bus parking at stadium entrance, new parking lots with green infrastructure

• Improved access loop road and sidewalks around the stadium

• Two-way access/egress to Hurley Avenue as well as Joys Lane

• Relocated basketball court with benches and lighting

• Pedestrian access/egress walk to Joys Lane near Kingstone Insurance

• New stadium perimeter fencing

• Improved Wi-Fi and security cameras

• Landscaping, including 125 new trees

The Dietz Stadium Improvements Project was kick-started with $2.5 million from the City of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award which helped create the Dietz Stadium Master Plan and designs as well as portions of Phase 1, such as the Andretta Pool Improvements and the installation of a new splash pad. The City of Kingston has also received two New York State grants for green infrastructure improvements to the parking lot and surrounding drive, $1.5 million from the Environmental Facilities Corporation and $1 million from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The City of Kingston has entered into a Project Labor Agreement with the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council on behalf of itself and its affiliated local unions, and have contracted with the following local construction companies: site construction - OCS Industries, Inc. (Poughkeepsie, NY), general construction - Darlind Associates, Inc. (LaGrangeville, NY), mechanical and plumbing construction - Dynamic Systems, Inc. (Poughkeepsie, NY), and electric construction - J&J Sass Electric, Inc. of Kingston.

More information at https://engagekingston.com/dietz-stadium-improvements.