Knox Field & JHS Pool

• Knox Athletic Field
• Pool

Knox Athletic Field

Suitable for a wide variety of athletic events, Johnstown’s venerable Knox Athletic Field, an interscholastic stadium featuring lights and a field turf surface, is located at the Knox Middle School complex on South Perry Street.

The field was developed following the Board of Education’s August 20, 1928 acceptance of the generous offer by local businesswoman Mrs. Rose M. Knox, owner of the Knox Gelatin Company, to bear the expense to construct and equip an athletic field in the City of Johnstown, “to be thereafter known as Knox Athletic Field and to be forever maintained and supervised by the Board of Education.” According to official Board of Education minutes, a Dedication Ceremony for the Knox Athletic Field was held on October 1, 1930, and the services of the first caretaker for the field commenced in full on November 10, 1930.

The site of many NYS Sectionals contests, Knox Field is home to Johnstown’s Sir Bills Football, Lady Bills Field Hockey, Sir Bills & Lady Bills Lacrosse, Sir Bills and Lady Bills Track & Field, Marching Bills Field Band, and Johnstown Winterguard. It has also served as the home field for the semi-pro Colonials football team, is used by the community’s Little League Football team, is the site of the annual Johnstown elementary track & field day, and the Purple & Gold Get Out & Play Day. Students graduating from Johnstown High School have enjoyed the tradition of holding commencement ceremonies on Knox Field since 1959, weather permitting.

Remaining in continuous use by Johnstown schools since its inception more than 80 years ago, Knox Field was most recently updated as part of a capital project approved by district residents in 2005. In addition to the field and surrounding track pictured here, the Knox complex boasts a bridle walking path, a playground area and tennis courts that are open for use by the community. It also hosts the School Museum, which occupies the original field house facing Glebe Street.

Back to top

Aquatics/Pool at JHS

Pool History

Johnstown residents approved the construction of an indoor pool at Johnstown High School in March, 1975 and an official Dedication Ceremony took place on April 30, 1977. In December 2014 voters approved a district-wide capital project that included total renovation/replacement of the nearly 40-year-old pool. Reconstruction was completed in the summer of 2018.

The facility is used for physical education aquatics classes, the Fo-Jo (Fonda-Johnstown) swim team, Johnstown’s summer recreation program, Family Fun Nights, and Community Swim.

For the swimming program, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 or older. Toddlers must wear protective swimming diapers in the pool. Participants are allowed to bring personal swimming aides (devices intended to help you stay afloat and swim). Pool floats are prohibited.

Pool Schedule

Johnstown’s Community Swim Program – Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m.

Red Cross Certification in Life Guarding, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer

Attention JHS students: Would you like to spend your summers at the beach or by the pool and make more than minimum wage? If you answered yes, then the JHS lifeguarding elective may be for you! This semester-long course, taught during the school day, will provide you with Red Cross certification in lifeguarding, first aid, CPR for the professional rescuer, and waterfront lifeguarding. Students must be 15 years or above by June 11, 2015 in order to enroll. The cost is $35 for materials and students must pass a swimming pre-test. Contact your guidance counselor at JHS to register and then be the first to apply for next summer’s lifeguard jobs!

Back to top