Portal Middle High School is stepping into a new chapter by opening its state-of-the-art track and field complex—a game-changer for students, athletes, and the community. The facility officially opened this spring and has already hosted multiple events, including a middle school invitational and dual meets with nearby schools.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Portal Middle High School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new track, marking a proud milestone for the school and its supporters.
“This is just going to be a great resource for our students,” said Justin Chester, Portal’s assistant principal and athletic director. “They’ll have the opportunity to come out, enjoy being outside, competing, and work on sportsmanship skills. It opens many doors for our kids to learn the importance of competing and working together as a team.”
The facility is more than just a sports venue—it’s a multi-use space that Chester describes as “a classroom without walls.” He envisions it as a year-round asset, hosting PE classes, field days, celebrations, and offseason conditioning for various sports.
With Portal Elementary just a short walk away, younger students will also benefit from the facility.
Chester also praised the community support that made the project possible. “We are very appreciative of the citizens of Bulloch County for allowing this to happen,” he said, referring to the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funding that contributed to the project. “We’ve already had a middle school track meet that brought together families from all over the county.”
The new complex includes sideline renovations at Panther Field, a new football and soccer complex entrance, and upgraded LED lighting. Future additions include bleachers for spectators, which Chester says will improve the experience for families and community members coming out to support the athletes.
For Head Track and Field Coach Tendai Haggins, the facility marks a dramatic transformation in how the team trains.
“It’s been like night and day,” Haggins said. “We used to run in people’s fields, parking lots, and even near cemeteries just to get in our training. Now, it’s phenomenal to walk out the back door and come down to one of Georgia’s most beautiful little stadiums.”
Higgins described the emotional weight of hosting their first home meet in March: “It was awesome. It was overwhelming to some. We never thought we’d see this day, but seeing all the local schools and community showing up was powerful for our kids.”
According to Haggins, the athletes have responded with pride and newfound confidence. “Their walk is different now,” he said with a smile. “There’s a little strut to them. We’re honored and humbled to have this facility. The support from administration, the Board of Education, and the sheriff’s office made this possible.”
That pride resonates deeply with senior Harold Washington, who experienced the transformation firsthand. “I was happy because we didn’t have one before,” he said. “Now we don’t have to run around the school. It’s way easier to run on the track.”
Washington noted that training on the new track has improved his and his teammates’ performance. “We got way faster,” he said. “And we get the feel of an actual track before we go to competitions.”
With a boost in school spirit and athletic opportunities, the new facility is already proving to be a cornerstone of growth for Portal Middle High School, where the future of track and field has never looked so bright. The high school track team will have Regionals in Bryan County on Monday, April 21, 2025, and Tuesday, April 22, 2025.