Samohi Rolls Out New Athletic Field: See Photos

To much pomp and circumstance, rolled out its new synthetic turf athletic field on Thursday afternoon. Mayor Pro Tempore led a ribbon-cutting ceremony; school board members Ben Allen and Oscar de la Torre recalled their tenure at Samohi; and a school band, a school choir and cheerleaders revved up the crowd.

The field will be used by the Samohi Vikings football teams, as well as the school's soccer teams, track and field teams, and marching band. Moreover, during non-school hours, the field will be available to the public, increasing community space for recreational-sports leagues in Santa Monica.

The new field marks the beginning of the  and city of Santa Monica's Civic Center Joint Use Project, a partnership focusing on the redevelopment of Samohi's cultural, public-realm and recreation areas. Also through the CCJUP, Samohi's gym facility will be replaced, and there will be support facilities and upgrades at its Greek theater.

The day after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the city began issuing permits for members of the community to use the new field and other recreational facilities on the school's campus. For more info, go to SMGov.net or call the Community Recreation permit office at (310) 458-8300, ext. 1.

Look above to see photos of Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.