Students in the Utica City School District could soon be playing on brand new athletic fields, but first the public must approve the project. 

School board members held their first community to review a $15 million project, including upgrades to the stadium at the high school, baseball fields, tennis courts as well as the athletic fields at both middle schools. 

District officials say the project will be mostly funded through state aid, but there will be a tax increase. For a $100,000 assessed property, taxes could go up $33 per year. 

"We're trying to get the message out that the funding is really not going to have much of a tax impact at all. And we haven't raised taxes here in over 7 years so we are always cognisant of our tax payers and we're continuing to be that way with this project as well," said School Board President Chris Salatino.

The vote is scheduled for August 14th. 

Residents are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled community meetings to learn more about the project. All of the meetings start at 6pm. 

• July 23rd, John F. Kennedy Middle School (North Utica)

• July 24th, Board of Education Meeting

• July 25th, James Donavan Middle School (West Utica)

• July 31st, Watson Williams

• August 2nd, Jones (South Utica)