On Friday, October 25, at 5 p.m., the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education served as the host to a rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the newly renovated Basilone Memorial Field Complex.
The celebration signaled the completion of phase one of the Basilone Complex renovation project, which is part of the district-wide referendum. Phase one of the project included the replacement of the home bleachers and the renovation of the fieldhouse, parking lot, and pathways.
Phase two of the project, which will consist of the replacements of the running track and bleachers on the visitors' side of the field and additional site work, will commence in the summer of 2025.
In March 2023, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Community overwhelmingly supported a $155 million referendum dedicated to critical renovations and the creation of a full-day kindergarten program, which is set to open in September 2026.
The ceremony on the 25th of October culminated with the unveiling of a new monument that was dedicated to John Basilone, who hailed from Raritan, and was donated to the school district in 2022 by the Disabled Veterans of New Jersey.
This event brought the entire community together to celebrate the rededication of a critical area heavily used for district and youth athletic programs. The district’s investment in this facility will ensure that Basilone Field remains a centerpiece in the community for the next generation.