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Students and community urge repair of Ainsworth Field and new tennis courts; board designates Aug. 21 as Ainsworth Community Day
Summary
Dozens of students, parents and community members told the Erie City SD board that Ainsworth Field and nearby tennis courts are unsafe and need major renovation; the board read and unanimously approved a resolution designating August 21, 2026 as "Ainsworth Community Day" and discussed phased renovation options.
A packed public‑comment period at the School District of the City of Erie’s June 29 meeting put Ainsworth Field and tennis courts at the center of the board’s attention. Students, coaches, parents and longtime community volunteers described cracked courts, a broken warning track and historical importance, and urged the district to prioritize facility repairs and building dedicated tennis courts for Erie High.
Jen Yoger, who showed a chunk of asphalt she said came from the warning track, told the board: "This isn't just a safety issue. It is a liability." Students and coaches described injuries and unsafe playing surfaces on Frontier and Burton courts and urged the board to consider short‑term fixes and a staged capital plan. Several speakers said local fundraising and state or federal partners could help close funding gaps.
Miss Graph told attendees that a full renovation of Ainsworth would cost roughly $11 million and that work would need to be staged over multiple years. In response to public pressure, the board read a resolution designating August 21, 2026 as Ainsworth Community Day to celebrate the field’s history and create a planning moment for its future; the resolution passed unanimously.
Board members said they were moved by the number of students who attended and advocated for the project. Mr. Horton and others urged the district to seek partnerships and consider short‑term steps to improve safety. The board also set aside $2.5 million for student activities in the budget vote that followed; members said some of the capital work at Ainsworth could be addressed with a combination of capital funds, partnerships and phased planning.
Next steps: Miss Graph said the board will discuss Ainsworth in an upcoming August meeting and pursue staged options that align with available capital funding and community support. The August event and the board’s budget decisions are likely to shape the timing and scope of repairs.
