Sen. Washington Introduces Bill to Construct New School Stadiums
Senator Alonzo T. Washington Introduces Legislation to Provide Better Opportunities for Student Athletes in Maryland
Bill would expedite the process for public schools to receive new athletic stadiums.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (D) has introduced legislation to dramatically increase the number of school stadiums constructed per year in the State of Maryland. The bill, SB 818, would create the Public School Stadium Construction Fund with a $50 million allocation beginning in FY2025. Each stadium could cost anywhere from $1-5 million to construct, so this fund will go a long way towards addressing the needs of schools that have been neglected the longest.
“A high school stadium is more than a place where students fulfill their physical education requirements; it’s a place for community gathering, the public face of the school on game days, and a place where students challenge themselves for next-level achievements, said Sen. Washington. “When athletic facilities fall into disrepair or can’t fulfill one or more of their multiple functions, this can affect the school significantly.
Research on student participation in interscholastic athletics shows the undeniable enhancement they bring to the academic mission of schools. Athletics serve as an inherent educational extension to the classroom, which keeps students more engaged in academics and fosters post-graduate success.
“Here in the State of Maryland, we have a long, storied history of athletes graduating from our public schools and going on to achieve greatness at the college and professional level – but right now, the playing field is not level,” said Sen. Washington. “There are dozens of high schools here in Maryland who have not had significant athletic stadium renovations in over a decade. This limits opportunities for our students and does not help us achieve the stated goal of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – to provide a world class educational experience for every student.”