Winter Weather Poses New Challenge For Fall Sports In Reading

READING, MA — The rescheduled Fall 2 sports season started across Massachusetts Monday, but a shortage of indoor facilities in the Middlesex League has led to unique challenges in Reading.

Sports that are typically indoors, like track, have been moved outside, and the district is struggling to clear its fields of snow and ice without causing irreparable damage, Superintendent John Doherty said.

Doherty decided not to touch the newly renovated Turf 2 field but will move forward with cleaning the track and Turf 1, which is about 14 years old. The space is scheduled to be replaced in 2023 but is not under warranty, Doherty said.

"Any damage done to the track and/or field would result in the shutting down of the track for this spring track season and/or the likelihood that the football field would not be playable for next fall," Doherty said in a statement.

That's not the only dilemma the district faces. Snow will need to be removed by a snow blower specifically designed for turf fields and tracks, as opposed to being plowed, which is more time-consuming and is projected to cost about $5,000-$10,000 per storm.

Conservation regulations dictate that snow cannot be blown near the wetlands behind the visitor's end zone and the far sideline, Doherty said. Snow cannot be blown onto the bleachers either, since they could be damaged by the snow's weight.

Doherty said he is also concerned about the increased risk of injury from ice on the field and track.

"We are currently pursuing snow removal options which will minimize the risk of damage to the field, while maintaining as safe a playing surface as possible," Doherty said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the Turf 1 conditions in the hope of being able to have the field cleared as soon as possible."