There will be a new place to catch Friday Nights Lights this fall in the City of Buffalo.
But that’s only one piece of what Tapestry Charter School leaders hope its new Community Track Multi-Sport Athletic Complex will provide the surrounding community.
Friday, Tapestry officials and students, along with LISC WNY and the Buffalo Bills, cut the ribbon on the new $2.7 Million complex.
“This project’s impact will go far beyond Tapestry’s 1,100 students,” Tapestry Charter School Executive Director Eric Klapper said. “It will give opportunities and access to kids and youth sports organizations all across the city.”
The Bills, LISC and the NFL Foundation selected Tapestry to receive a $250,000 grant in support of the construction of the new synthetic turf field and track behind the school’s campus on Great Arrow Avenue in North Buffalo. The school also received a $900,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for the project.
After the ceremony, students christened the new field by taking part in a youth football clinic hosted by the Bills.
Among the many teams and organizations that will be able to take advantage of the new field is the newly-formed Tapestry/WNY Maritime Football team.
WNY Maritime is joining forces with Tapestry after splitting from Health Sciences Charter School, who is now combining with Global Concepts and Buffalo Academy of Science Charter Schools.
“(WNY Maritime) is going be to fantastic athletic patterners with us,” Klapper said. “We are on the same wavelength with them as far as our academic and student-athletes go. We’re really excited to kick off in the fall.”
Right now, there are no stands. But plans are to have a temporary press box and stands for football games this fall and then to build a permanent grand stand in the near future.
Tapestry junior Julian Jones is excited to be able to play high school football this fall.
“I used to play little league football and I didn’t get the chance to play these past few years,” Jones said. “I’m really excited to show what I’ve got.”
New teammate Johnny Williams, a Maritime junior, says the offseason workouts with his new teammates are going well and he’s happy that his team will finally have a place to call home.
“It feels amazing,” Williams said. “This is my first home field. I’m excited for our first game on it.”
