Shunpike Field Not Finished

Construction at Shunpike Field is progressing somewhat more slowly than expected, but the project is still within its allowable time limit.

"We're a little bit behind schedule," township Mayor Nicole Hagner said.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Tubbs said the project to install turf and grass fields at the site is still somewhat on track, however. The project was expected to be finished by its contractor, Fredco, in time for the turf field to be used by the spring.

A grass field that is being revamped at the site is required to sit for a year before it is used, so that is still anticipated to be ready by fall 2011.

Because of that, Tubbs said, "we wanted to get planting done in the grass this fall."

He said there is a lot that goes into the preparation of the field. The drainage must be worked on extensively, he said, and that can take time.

"A lot of that kind of stuff just doesn't look that impressive until you start to roll it out," Tubbs said.

Fredco had some trouble finding a fill for the field that it did not need to pay for, and that caused a delay.

It is not expected to work past its deadline. But township Engineer John Ruschke has said the township will charge Fredco $500 every day it works past its deadline.

The township will also contribute money to a separate contract that will allow lights to be placed at the field.

The funds for that $650,000 project will come from a variety of sources.

. Recreation trust funds will pay for $150,000 of the project, and borough officials said clubs such as Chatham Baseball and Chatham United will be able to join forces to give about $100,000. Other sources will contribute some additional funding.

Chatham High School Athletic Booster Club board member Jeff Fritts said the boosters will contribute about $25,000 to the effort.

The borough and township will likely each contribute about $100,000.