Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen welcomed the crowd to the opening ceremony and thanked the Board of Education, local government and civic associations, and the Garden City community for their support of the middle school field project. There was true cause for celebration on September 18th at the Garden City Middle School as Board of Education members, district and middle school administration, local politicians and civic organization members, athletic teams, coaches, PTA, parents and members of the Garden City community joined together to mark the official opening of the new middle school athletic field. The purchase and revitalization of this field, originally the front lawn of Saint Paul's, was made possible by a community-supported bond and is an important investment in the well-being of our children, as well as being an asset to the greater Garden City community.

"This represents a special occasion not just for the middle school or the school district, but for the entire community, because so many people worked together to complete this project, and because so many in Garden City will be able to use and enjoy this beautiful field," commented Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen.

Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus also thanked the community for its support of the middle school project and explained how beneficial it was to Garden City's athletic program to have the beautiful new field for games and practices. Senator Hemp Hannon, Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, and Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus all addressed the crowd assembled on the sidelines, thanking the Board of Education and the Garden City community for their support of the project. The official ribbon-cutting took place at the conclusion of the ceremony followed quickly by the jubilant entry of multiple athletic teams onto the new field for afternoon practice.

Senator Kemp Hannon complimented the community for their collaborative efforts noting that the purchase and renovation of the middle school field was an excellent example of how local government, the school district, civic organizations and taxpayers worked together to accomplish the greater good. Joining in the ribbon-cutting for the opening of the new middle school field on September 18th were (back row, left to right): Assistant Superintendents Fino Celano and Al Chase, Homestead School Principal Dr. Suzanne Viscovich, Village of Garden City Administrator Robert Schoelle, Assemblyman Tom McKevitt and President of the Western Property Owners' Association, Paul Muscarella; (front row, left to right): Peter Andromedous representing The Men's Association, middle school Assistant Principals William Marr and Susan Lee, middle school Principal Dr. Peter Osroff, Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen, Senator Kemp Hannon, Board of Education Trustees Lawrence Quinn, Angela Heineman and Laura Brown, and Village of Garden City Director of Recreation Kevin Ocker.At the conclusion of the ceremony, enthusiastic representatives from various athletic teams led their teammates onto the new field through the ribbon gate.