Westminister field project nearly complete

The Griffin Field project – the “field of dreams” – at the Westminster School in Annandale is nearly completed. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held in October.

The independent, private school, located at 3819 Gallows Road, serves students from preschool through middle school.

The new turf field is already being used by students for soccer, softball, and track and field, says Head of School Nancy Schuler. A lacrosse program will start in 2028.

A basketball court, digital scoreboard, and two new playgrounds, one for 3 and 4-year-olds and one for ages 5 and up, are already in use.

A bubbling fountain, retaining wall, terrace, and a statue of a griffin, the school’s mascot, have been installed, as well.

This week, chainsaw artist Andrew Mallon is scheduled to carve a sculpture from one of the trees that had been cut down to make way for the field, Schuler said. The sculpture will be a homage to the animals who lost their homes. Two other trees cut down will be carved into benches.

The netting for the field still has to be added, along with a donor wall, picnic area, and finishing touches.

“The construction of the field went smoothly. L.F. Jennings did a great job,” Schuler said.

“When we got permission for the field 16 years ago, there were two stipulations from the neighbors: no rentals and no stadium lights,” she said.

The school has so far raised about $1.8 million toward its $2.5 million fundraising goal. The remainder of the $4.5 million cost of the project is covered by loans. The bulk of the donations are from current and alumni families.

“This project is a huge improvement for our campus,” Schuler said. Now that people can see the field from Gallows Road, “it’s raised our visibility in the community,” which is having a positive impact on enrollment, she said. “For a long time, we were hidden. We were the best-kept secret in Annandale.”