Like their neighbors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, teams at Troy High School hope they will soon be playing on an artificial turf surface, part of a greater $56.36 million project to update athletic facilities and the Doyle Middle School.

Voting on the bond issue will occur on Wednesday, February 10 at polling places throughout the Enlarged City School District of Troy.

Construction would not begin until July 2011 at the earliest if the bond measure is passed.

A new turf field will be built over the existing football field and will also be lined for soccer and lacrosse. Lights and a new scoreboard will also be built.

The track will also be improved and widened to eight lanes. A new ticket booth will limit access to the bleachers on game days.

Five new tennis courts will be constructed behind home plate of the varsity softball field.

The varsity softball and baseball fields will also have fences erected, as the soccer teams will play and practice on the new turf field. Junior varsity baseball and softball fields will receive “turf renovations.”

“This is my fifth year in the Troy City School District, and I can’t think of a time I have been more excited,” Troy Athletic Director Paul Reinisch said in a press release. “The school board has been very supportive of our physical education and athletic programs and this is another example of how much physical education and athletics means to this school district and community. With these outside improvements, in conjunction with what we completed in our gyms and lockers rooms a couple of years ago, Troy will offer one of the finest facilities in the Capital Region.”

Taxes in the district will rise 1.44 % if the measure is passed. The annual increase for an average Troy home equates to $29.80. In Brunswick, taxes would rise an additional $47.24 per year.

State aid and grants will cover approximately 92 percent of the costs.

“For us to have a facility with a fence, dugouts, and a comfortable place for our parents to enjoy watching their children perform has been a dream for the Troy High baseball program for years,” said Troy High baseball coach Curtis Nobles.

“It will be a tremendous asset for everyone,” head football coach Jack Burger said. “There will be so many pluses for our athletes and fans it’s hard to describe. The days of the mud bowls will be behind us.”

For more information, visit the Troy High website by clicking here.