Mills Athletic Compound Closes Once Again

During the summer of 2021, construction began on new tennis courts and full turf practice fields. Construction was predicted to be finished by the start fall of 2022 so that the girls tennis team as well as the soccer teams and other field sport teams could use it for their seasons. Unfortunately, as a result of a series of delays due to weather, material delays, and forklifts malfunctions, the aptly titled Mills Athletic Compound (MAC) was not finished in time for the start of even the spring sport season. However, on March 16, 2023, nearly two years after construction began, the ribbon was cut, officially opening the Mills Athletic Compound. Having said that, the MAC has once again been shut down as a result of the recent weather once again citing that the artificial turf is waterlogged and needs to be replaced. This project will extend the project’s completion date another year until the spring of 2024.

The lack of access to adequate practice fields due to the construction process taking such a long time angered many students on their respective teams. All League First Team Varsity Boys Soccer athlete, Kazuki Hensley (11), gave his thoughts on the delayed construction. With tears welling in his eyes Kazuki stated, “Jeez I just wish the practice fields would be finished already. I don’t know how many more days I can go sharing one soccer field with our JV team. I mean if I have to watch those JV guys practice for much longer I might lose my ability to kick a soccer ball.” Mean-

“I hate having to share such a small field with many other players at once, but watching the varsity team is truly inspiring to me. I hope that someday if I work hard, I can be as good at soccer as my hero Kazuki Hensley.”

Also a boys tennis athlete, Lucas Zaninovich shared his thoughts on not having any home games and driving to rival school Capuchino High School for practices. He men- tioned that he was very disappointed that he couldn’t play on the big stage at Mills High School home tennis matches. He exclaimed, “Playing for the Mills High School Boys Tennis team has been a dream of mine since I first picked up a racket about a year and a half ago. Playing in front of the roaring Mills tennis crowd was everything I could dream of. I am crushed that I won’t get that opportunity until this season.”

Hopefully the fields can open for next season!*