press release

Handley Bowl improvements unveiled at first home game

By Drew Houff

Published: September 14, 2009
Winchester Star

Watching Handley Judges football has always been a popular way to spend a Saturday afternoon in late summer or fall.

And the opening of the refurbished Handley Bowl Saturday for the 2009 season opener was no different, as an estimated 2,500 spectators got a first-hand look at the facility’s new artificial turf, scoreboard, and upgraded grandstands.

They also got to see a 17-14 non-district victory over Ashburn-based Briar Woods.

The $69.7 million renovation of the high school and stadium brought out fans in large numbers, as parked cars lined Jefferson Street and spilled from the parking lot near the high school along Handley Boulevard.

“I think it’s great,” said Kermit Slonaker, a 1969 Handley graduate. “I would say it is just too bad we didn’t have it in the olden days.”

The stadium, he said, will only get better following additional work on the facade and archway.

“Once they get everything situated, it is going to be very nice.”

Bill Tilling, whose children are Handley graduates and whose grandchildren currently attend the school, was equally impressed.

“It’s fabulous as far as I can tell,” he said. “It’s certainly keeping in the class you expect of Handley.”

Colleen Branigan, however, had some concerns about the turf.

She said the potential for injury is greater on the artificial field, particularly since players are less familiar with it than grass.

“[Players] are more prepared at the intercollegiate level to play on the artificial field than at the high school level,” she said.

Branigan said she hoped that trainers for the Handley teams will work with the players to prepare them to play on the new field.

Joyce Goynes, mother of a Handley football player, said she thought the new field had the Judges playing tentatively at first, as they were locked in a 7-7 tie with the visitors.

“I think they’re unsure about the field, but it looks good,” she said. “I’m just excited about it.”

Sarah Clem, a ninth-grader at Handley, said she thought the stadium was pretty.

Her friend, 11th-grader Cicely Nicholson, agreed.

“It’s nice — it looks good and it is an improvement,” Nicholson said. “It’s definitely better [than before].”

Many spectators were there to check out the new surroundings and then take in the game.

“I’m just looking around,” said local accountant James T. Riley. “This is the first time I’ve set foot in here since the work was done.”

He said he had been walking near the stadium when school staff recently tested the scoreboard, with yellow, black, maroon, and other colors flashing in an otherwise dark setting.

“This represents four years of love and labor,” said Winchester School Board member Barry W. Deuel.

He said the look of the stadium and the grounds made the setting just right for high school football

“Today is about the players and their excitement to be playing here,” he said.

Deuel said the upcoming dedication of the renovated school on Oct. 10 will the be culmination of work by citizens, school officials, the public, students, staff, and everyone interested in Handley.

Another School Board member, N. Randolph Bryant, said the renovations will be even more noticeable in the spring when the Handley track team hosts meets.

That track has been upgraded with a new regulation surface.

Former Winchester City Councilor John Schroth said he talked with two Handley football players at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday and was impressed by their reaction.

“They said, ‘We’re lucky they let us play here.’ It’s neat that they are so grateful,’” Schroth said. “It’s going to look sharp when they’re done.”

Former Winchester Public Schools Superintendent Dennis W. Kellison, who retired at the end of June, also was dazzled.

“It’s spectacular,” he said. “It’s everything we wanted and more. And we have a good crowd here, too.”

Handley golf coach Tommy Arthur said the entire setting suits the school and city.

“I went out on the field the other day, and I just looked around,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is unbelievable. This is such a great place — talk about an honor playing here.”

Arthur said the best part about the artificial field and stadium renovations is that they will last for a long time, so long as efforts are made to take care of things.

“The city should be real proud of it,” he said.

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the youngest firm to receive the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.