After 35 minutes of public debate, the article in Wayland’s 2019 Annual Warrant to renovate WHS’ athletic facilities passed at 7:39 p.m. on April 30. The motion, Article 13, passed by a margin of 1,030 votes in favor to 228 opposed, exceeding the 2/3 margin required by the town’s bylaws.

Proponents of the article argued that the track has deteriorated to the point that it can’t be used for home track meets, and opponents proposed that the project would cost too much and could damage the environment.

Upon the passing of the article, construction of WHS’ new athletic facilities will begin over the summer and extend into Wayland’s fall athletic season. A large portion of the project’s funds and effort will go towards completely replacing the turf fields.

“It’ll set up the school well for a large number of years,” WHS Athletic Director Heath Rollins said in a previous WSPN interview. “If we build it right, it will hold up well long-term.”