Schools' Plan To Upgrade Athletic Fields Needs Another Look

To the editor: I am writing to share my thoughts on the School Committee’s plans to update the Nantucket High School varsity field. While I applaud the committee’s commitment to improving athletic facilities for our students, I remain unclear on how the proposed solution was selected. Having read numerous articles and opinion pieces, it seems to me that the current proposal is a good plan - but perhaps not the best plan.

As a coach for community sports on the island, head of the Nantucket Community Lacrosse program, and father of two student-athletes, our family regularly travels to schools across Massachusetts and the broader region. It does not take long to recognize that Nantucket’s current facilities are subpar. As a town, we have known this for some time, and I am pleased that the issue has once again risen to the top of the community’s priorities.

Traveling across the region with both Nantucket and club teams reveals the level of commitment other towns are making to their student-athletes. High schools, their fields, and athletic facilities serve as the centerpieces of their communities—places where students spend more hours of the day than anywhere else. With school choice in Massachusetts, students across the Cape naturally gravitate toward towns that offer better facilities and opportunities. Plymouth North and Plymouth South, for example, have completely overhauled their campuses, athletic fields, and supporting infrastructure to regional acclaim. These modernized facilities serve not only the athletes, but also the parents and fans who dedicate countless hours supporting their children and teams.

Nantucket is unique. Thirty miles out to sea, we do not host club sports programs in the same way other towns do, yet we maintain a thriving community of student-athletes, parents, siblings, and fans who love to support our local teams. Unfortunately, our existing facilities fail to reflect either the wealth of our community or the shared desire to provide modern, safe, and inspiring environments for our young athletes. Nantucket is one of, if not the, wealthiest communities in Massachusetts. There is no reason we should not have best-in-class fields and athletic facilities.

Our fieldhouse should include top-tier locker rooms, a well-equipped fitness and weight-training center, clean and accessible bathrooms for both athletes and spectators, and proper space for our dedicated booster club. This is what I envisioned—and hoped for—when I first read that the School Committee planned to upgrade the varsity field. Unfortunately, what has been presented falls short of that vision.

While it is true that construction on Nantucket is expensive, I do not believe that budget limitations are the real issue. Over the years, Town Meeting has approved tens of millions of dollars for projects that enhance Nantucket for both residents and visitors—bike paths, airport extensions, first responder facilities, and retirement homes, among many others. These are all valuable investments that strengthen our island, but our high school and its athletic facilities remain dated and underfunded. I am encouraged by the renewed attention to this issue, yet I believe we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to do better.

We should take the time to explore all viable options. Turf fields, synthetic tracks, grass fields, and asphalt tracks should each be evaluated carefully. Nantucket’s concerns regarding PFAS are well-documented and widely understood, and those concerns are valid. However, research shows that there are technical and material solutions available that can address environmental and health standards while still providing best-in-class performance. Many towns, colleges, and professional programs that share the same concerns have successfully implemented updated technologies that meet safety and environmental goals.

If, after thorough study, it is found that the current proposal truly represents the best possible solution for Nantucket, I will gladly support and applaud the School Committee’s decision. But at this stage, I remain unconvinced that all options have been fully explored or presented transparently to the community.

The goal should not simply be to “upgrade” what we already have—it should be to create a comprehensive, forward-looking athletic complex that reflects the pride, talent, and resources of this island. Our students, families, and community deserve facilities that match the dedication we see from our athletes every day.

Nantucket has never shied away from bold projects when they align with our values and vision for the future. Let’s make sure this one does too.

With Regards,

Brian Herlihy
President, Nantucket Community Lacrosse
Coach U-15 Girls Lacrosse