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Artificial Turf Installation Timeline May Run Close To Start Of Pop Warner Practice
By Catherine Snipe
Originally, the township wanted to create artificial turf fields in time for fall football practice.
Though the township approved going to bid for the project at its council meeting this week, it might not be possible to finish in time.
The township hopes to construct artificial turf grass fields at the Veterans Memorial and Drum Point Sports Complex. At this point, the township needs contractors to come forward to bid for the project. The township will have to award the bid before construction starts.
From there, the construction phase should take four to six weeks if the weather is good, township officials said.
But that cuts it close to the date the township had hoped to be done: by the second week in June.
Township officials said the project could still be on track but the staff had several steps to complete before going to bid on the project, which came down this week.
"We told them to prioritize these two projects," Councilman Anthony Matthews said. "I'm extremely disappointed it's taking this long."
A delay has the potential to impact the 1,600 children who participate in football, flag and cheering during the season's games.
Pop Warner representatives came to the council to express their fear that a project launched too late could wreck havoc with the football season, directly interfering by taking away its playing areas. If the fields are under construction, there's no place for the teams to play or practice.
"Our first day of practice is July 30," said Dave Francese, president of the Brick Dragons Board of Directors. "I'm here to ask what will happen if you don't make it in time."
If things can't be completed by July 29, the project will not even start until after the season's end. Should the winning bid not be able to begin its contract work in time, the township would push construction to late November, council President Stephen Acropolis said.
"We aren't going to do anything to disrupt your season, I'll tell you right now," said Acropolis.
Though there is a possibility of shifting around and repainting play lines for other fields, those moves can also be timely and must be cooperative. Plus, the efforts would have to be coordinated for both the Dragons and Mustangs' teams.
Synthetic fields are made of polyethylene fibers simulating grass stabilized with rubber pellets. The hope is the material will require little maintenance compared with the watering and mowing real grass requires.
Plus, officials are pointing to safety issues with grass, where pits, ruts and puddles require frequent maintenance during playing seasons.
In short, it's a money saver and is safer, Matthews argued.
With less than 80 days until the first day of practice, township officials have their fingers crossed the project will be complete for that first day back.
"I really hope we can do this for this season, but not if it impacts the season itself," Acropolis said.
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