The junction of Route 175 and Mt. Prospect Road has seen a buzz of activity as Holderness School moves forward with a series of projects.

After an extensive period of planning and permitting, the following projects are underway at the school.  

Nordic Trail Project

Holderness School has begun a multi-phase project that will see significant upgrades and improvements to its nordic trails. Trail clearing began in early March and will continue into the spring and summer to allow for the development of a 5-kilometer homologated Nordic skiing venue that will include 2 kilometers of lighted trail and 2.5 kilometers of snowmaking.  The homologation process establishes an international standard that provides guidelines for course design, construction, and competition. This process will allow Holderness to host local, regional, and even national competitions. Portions of the trails will be closed throughout the spring and summer for trail clearing.

In support of the future snowmaking effort, a snowmaking pond is currently being excavated along the north side of Mt. Prospect Road. The snowmaking pond will hold approximately 3 million gallons of water.

The full scope of the nordic trail project is expected to be completed in time for next winter.

The trails will also benefit local school and development programs.  Holderness trails support practices and competitions for athletes from the Bill Koch Youth Ski League, Holderness Central School, and Plymouth Regional High School. With the completion of the trails, such use is expected to increase.

As construction takes place, access to trails will be limited.  Once the project is complete, trails will be accessible to members of the local community for considerate use in the fall, spring, and summer seasons.  During the winter, members of the local community can access the trails for cross country skiing by joining the Holderness Nordic Club. Membership is available for a nominal fee; you can get more information by emailing holdernessnordic@gmail.com. 

Field Complex

The large clearing across from the snowmaking pond will be the site of a new field complex, which will include a turf field, a natural grass field, a softball field, and additional parking.  

Material excavated from the snowmaking pond will be used as base material for the new fields. Fields will be constructed in phases, with turf field construction expected to take place throughout the spring and summer. Construction on the grass field and the softball field will begin at a later date.

When not actively used for Holderness School practices and competitions, these fields can be made available for use by local schools and youth athletic organizations. 

New Dormitory

To provide added flexibility for the school’s residential life program and relieve some existing campus density issues, the school is building a new dormitory along Mt. Prospect Road, which will serve as a residence hall for 12 students and include a faculty apartment. The foundation was completed in February.  The dormitory will be modular construction, and pieces of the dormitory’s structure were delivered in early March. The dormitory is expected to be completed in May. 
 

In addition to the projects along Mt. Prospect Road, Holderness continues work on renovating Hagerman Center, home to the school’s auditorium and performing arts spaces as well as classrooms and academic spaces.  Once the school year ends, additional renovations and maintenance-related projects – including the renovation of another dormitory along Mt. Prospect – are slated to begin in preparation for the 2022-2023 academic year.