NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 15, 2026) — Nearly 300 New Rochelle High School students got a front-row seat to real-world hydrogeology and engineering on June 3, watching live drilling operations at McKenna Field as part of construction of a new underground stormwater detention system designed to protect the school’s pool from future flood damage.
The City School District of New Rochelle Facilities Department partnered with industry contractors to give 278 students an immersive, hands-on experience at the construction site. Engineering firm P.W. Grosser Consulting led active drilling demonstrations showing how subsurface data is collected and used to inform major construction designs. Equipped with eye and ear protection, students observed a live boring operation under the supervision of New Rochelle High School teachers and staff.
“Connecting students at New Rochelle High School with real-world applications was a valuable opportunity,” said Keith Watkins, director of facilities. “These experiences are crucial for helping our students engage with careers in engineering, architecture, and other facilities-related careers.”
The fieldwork supports Passero Associates and Jacobs in developing the underground stormwater detention system, which is engineered to provide large overflow and holding capacity for excess stormwater to protect the high school’s pool from environmental damage.
The project stems from destruction caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021, when a severe groundwater surge forced its way up through the bottom of the pool, causing catastrophic damage and flooding the entire first floor of the high school. The new system is designed to significantly increase underground stormwater storage capacity to protect the school and athletic facilities during future severe weather events.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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