Three Lakes athletic field improvements taking shape

Ever since school let out for the summer at Three Lakes High School, locals have probably seen the many construction projects the school district has on the docket ahead of the start of the 2026-’27 school year. One of those projects stems from a referendum vote that passed in April 2025, authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2.7 million for a facility improvement project consisting of athletic facility and site improvements.

The current project includes full track replacement, a new concessions/bathroom facility, parking lot expansion east of the field with access from Winkler Road and an in-ground irrigation system for the football and soccer fields.

It’s been a process, but Three Lakes High School Principal Justin Szews said it is a much-needed improvement for the facility, which will benefit both student-athletes and spectators. As of this writing, Szews said the project is on time and is expected to be finished by Aug. 14.

“As far as we can tell, the last time there were any major renovations/facility upgrades (outside of normal upkeep/maintenance stuff) to the athletic field/track facility was approximately 1996,” stated Szews. “The track surface was really in rough shape and needed a complete reset.”

A changed irrigation system is also scheduled to be installed underground ahead of the fall sports season, which allows the district to better monitor the field’s needs and have a consistent upkeep schedule.

“Adding an in-ground irrigation system, along with a regular grass turf maintenance schedule, will certainly help to ensure that our playing surface for football and soccer games continues to improve and become a high-quality competition surface,” stated Szews.

An additional parking option for fans is also a big step toward reducing traffic by the elementary and high school portions of the parking lot. This addition can be accessed by Winkler Road.

“The new parking lot will allow for spectators to significantly reduce the length of their walk from their vehicle to the bleachers, and it will eliminate or at least reduce some of the traffic congestion in the elementary end or high school end parking lot(s) on days when there are events going on,” explained Szews.

Szews also said the new facility with bathrooms and concessions was a major need to upgrade the space.

Fans will get a chance to look at the completed project when the varsity football and boys’ soccer seasons begin later in August.