Shunpike Field Construction Delayed

Construction on the Shunpike Field renovation project has been delayed as the project's contractor searches for a proper fill material for the field.

At a Township Committee meeting Thursday, Township Engineer John Ruschke said it's difficult for Fredco Landscaping, which is the contractor for the project, to find a proper landfill at no cost. One fill that has been found contains too much clay.

Because of the difficult economic times, Ruschke said, many contractors these days are consistenly shopping for lower prices. But he said the township is now growing somewhat impatient.

The township will soon send a letter to the contractor making its intentions clear.

"I just want to reinforce the fact that the township will not be entertaining any contract extensions," Ruschke said.

The initial phase of the project, which involves laying turf onto the field, is scheduled to be complete by September. The turf must sit until the spring before it is actually ready for use.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Tubbs said if the township had known the delays would be happening, it would have delayed the beginning of the project so the fields could be used for recreational activities.

"We wouldn't have allowed him to start this project ... if we knew he was sitting there with this thing," Tubbs said.

Ruschke said the township will charge Fredco $500 every day it works past its deadline.

He also said there have been delays in completing the new Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department firehouse on Southern Boulevard. The contractor for that project still needs to finish installing a driveway and needs to place a protective coating on the concrete floor.

On Monday, Ruschke said, the township will send a letter to the contractor informing him he has two weeks to finish the project.

He said there is still money that hasn't been paid out to the contractor for some work, so the township can hold that over the contractor until the firehouse is complete.