After seeing the soles of one too many cleats, the Cerritos College football field and track are getting a much needed makeover.

Continuing efforts to revamp certain areas across campus are being made, and administrators and contractors alike are now looking to the track and field for the latest batch of improvements.

New Astroturf recently replaced the grass that used to cover the football field – a task that was completed only hours before the first home game of the season that took place last Saturday.

College President Dr. Noelia Vela has expressed that the renovations taking place inside the stadium have been greatly needed for a while.

“The track had lived out its life expectancy. It had been worn to the base and was beyond repair,” Vela said.

“The artificial field provides for better use of space. Practice can occur on the actual football field rather than requiring a separate field and a variety of classes can now be taught on this stadium field.”

Dr. Dan Smith, dean of health, physical education and athletics, said that the artificial turf “makes a lot of sense.”

“The cost to maintain a grass field is far more than that of a field of artificial turf. It costs much less to maintain, seeing as it is you don’t have to water or fertilize the turf,” he said.

“Plus there is more opportunity to schedule events and classes out there.”

The track is scheduled to be completed by the end of January, at which time the construction company will release it back to the school.

At that time, administrators and school officials will then have the option of scheduling other classes to take place on the field.

“The field has always been reserved for games,” Smith said. “Never has it been used for anything else. Upon completion, [the track and field] will be able to be utilized by other teams and for classes such as soccer and running.”

Head Football Coach Frank Mazzotta is probably the most excited, as his football players will be utilizing the stadium more so than any other team.

Mazzotta was given the opportunity to get creatively involved with this project, as he was in charge of choosing the color schemes for the field. “The field turned out absolutely beautiful, if I do say so myself,” he said. “Dr. Vela really went out of her way to make this happen.”

James Austin, cheer squad adviser, is just as excited as the other coaches who will be able to use the field are.

“These [renovations] have been a long time needed. They bring everything up to date,” he said.

“The improvements are a benefit for everyone. It makes it more like a real campus now, not just a little college with a football field in the backyard.”

Many members of the college community were excited that the field, which Vela called “aesthetically appealing,” was indeed ready to play on at the first home game.

Carlene Castaneda, English major, was present at the game and said she was just as excited as the players who got to use the field.

“It seemed as though the players were really enjoying themselves on the new field,” she said. “The new field brought out a lot of fuel into the game.”

Even non-football fans like sociology major Perla Rios are taking a like to the new stadium improvements.

“I’m not a football fan,” she said, “but if I was one, I’d be very happy.”

“The renovations are for the best,” she continued. “It gives the players something to be proud of.”

Castaneda agreed, saying, “I think that for the players who take football to heart, it will really build on their morale. They’ll want to work harder and play better when they’re out on that field.”

Although the Falcons did not see a victory that night, Mazzotta said his players thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“The guys were having so much fun,” he said. “They were like little kids in a sandbox! It was just great.” The track and field renovations, however, are not the last thing on the college’s list of improvements.

Vela said among the other improvements, the college will be looking to revamp the pool and pool house, infrastructure and central plant, as well as remodeling the auto complex and constructing a new auto building.