Sunrise Middle School unveils improved athletic field with new turf

KEARNEY, Neb. After years of sharing facilities, students at Sunrise Middle School finally have a state-of-the-art sports field to call their own.

On Tuesday the school hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its newly renovated athletic field, featuring a new artificial turf surface and improved track.

KPS officials say the upgrades will allow Sunrise to host football, soccer and track events on campus for the first time.

Sunrise Middle School Principal Mark Johnson said the moment was years in the making and represents a major step forward for both students and the community.

“We wanted to do a ribbon cutting ceremony because, although we've had a track and a grass field, we've never had anything like this and so it's just such a monumental thing for us to be able to compete and invite other schools to come,” said Johnson.

“We've always had to go, for example, to Horizon for our football games, for our soccer games, and now we can host all of those things here as well. So it's pretty exciting stuff.”

Johnson said the project came together thanks to the support of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education and Superintendent Jason Mundorf, who wanted Sunrise to have facilities comparable to Horizon Middle School.

With the new field expected to bring more visitors to the area, the district is already looking ahead to possibly expand parking and improve traffic flow to welcome more families and visitors for games and events on the improved fields.

The principal added that the energy from students and staff has been contagious since construction wrapped up.

“I just love the excitement of the kids,” he said. “They’re super excited about everything, and we’re happy to promote Sunrise and share the good news of the things that we’re doing here.”