Malvern opens new 6,000-square-foot athletic complex with community celebration

Brown Local Schools welcomed the community Oct. 1 for the grand opening of its new 6,000-square-foot athletic complex fieldhouse at the Malvern Community Park football stadium. The celebration doubled as a homecoming pep rally and drew students, parents, alumni and fans eager to see the long-awaited facility.

“I’m just very excited for our community,” said Superintendent Danielle Hawk. “This is an amazing opportunity and something that’s going to be utilized by our students and our community for years to come. It’s an incredible addition, and I’m so thankful for all the donors and everyone who played a part in making this happen for our school and our community.”

The evening began with a pep rally led by the Hornet cheerleaders and the Hornet Marching Band, featuring recognition of the fall sports teams and public thanks to donors who helped make the project possible. Families enjoyed food trucks, face painting and the chance to meet this year’s athletes. Afterward, the fieldhouse was opened for tours, giving visitors a firsthand look at the modern amenities now available to Malvern athletics.

“It’s just a great day to celebrate the opening of the Malvern athletic facility,” said former Superintendent Mark Scott. Scott was the superintendent when the project began, and he showed up to see its completion. “It’s a beautiful facility that the students are going to enjoy for generations to come. I’m very excited for the Malvern student-athletes and the community. It’s a great day to be a Malvern Hornet.”

Inside, the new fieldhouse includes home and visiting locker rooms, accessible public restrooms with a family restroom, a fully equipped weight room, coaches’ offices, an athletic training area, an officials’ locker room and ample storage space. School leaders said the complex finally provides athletes and fans the amenities they have long needed while bringing Malvern’s facilities in line with neighboring districts.

The project is part of the district’s $1.3 million Malvern Athletic Project, which has already raised more than $450,000 through donations from community members, businesses and alumni. Additional phases — including new weight equipment, improved field drainage and synthetic turf for football, baseball and softball fields — will advance as fundraising continues.

“Our firm designed the K-12 school, and we were excited to be invited back to work on this new fieldhouse for the district,” said Lead Architect Tim Ruzik of FMD Architects. “We’re also working on the new Wellness Center, which is set to open next month as well.”

District officials emphasized that the complex is about more than sports. With modern restrooms and accessible design, it enhances the experience for spectators at games and community events while also connecting to Brown Local’s wider push for student wellness and public fitness access. That effort includes the future Community Learning & Wellness Center, created in partnership with Aultman Health, which will offer free community fitness options and on-site health services.

“This is a great community project, and we really appreciate everyone’s generosity in making it happen,” said Malvern Athletic Director Dave Tucci. “This is a building that should be here and serving our students and community for many, many years to come.”

The fieldhouse has already been in use this fall, giving Malvern athletes a modern home base and creating a better game-day experience for the entire community.

– National Champion Donors of $100,000 or more: BellStores and Roman Plumbing

– State Champion Donor of $50,000 or more: James Woods

– All-Ohio Donor of $25,000 or more: Dr. Mike and Board of Education President Tami Hulit

– All-League Donors of $10,000 or more: Uptown Auto Service and Yerrick Remodeling & Yerrick Enterprises

– Varsity Letter Donors of $5,000 or more: Kenan Advantage and GBS

– Hornet Donors of $1,000 or more: donations in memory of Bev Tucci and the American Legion Post 375