Plans for improvements at Veterans Memorial Field, Springdale soccer field advance

Plans for renovations at two Springdale fields — one owned by the borough and the other by the Allegheny Valley School District — are moving forward.

Springdale Council awarded a contract of about $580,000 to Harmar-based Panza Landscaping for installation of a retaining wall and sidewalks at Veterans Memorial Field, according to Councilman Jason Overly.

“That was right around what I was expecting,” Overly said.

Only two bids were received for the work, the other being about $40,000 more than Panza’s bid, Overly said.

The borough is working to find other funding for the project, which could include grants or loans, Overly said. Panza will hold the bid for 60 days, he said.

The scope of work, according to Overly, includes tearing down and rebuilding a wall at the field along Lincoln Street, as well as installing new sidewalks and drainage.

Both borough and Allegheny Valley School District officials point to the wall as an issue, as it is leaning toward the bleachers, just a few feet away.

For many years, the Springdale High School football team played its home games at Veterans Memorial, but the school district terminated its lease with the borough. Springdale High has played its “home” games at Burrell and Freeport high school stadiums this fall.

The school district had asked the borough to come up with a proposal in writing by July to propose a resolution for a lease price. Talks between the bodies stagnated because the borough still was seeking quotes to repair the wall.

The borough had informed the district it needed more time to come up with the quote. But now with the bid in hand, the borough can better formulate a proposal for the school district, Overly said. He anticipated the borough will reach out to the district soon.

Second proposal at the high school

Also Tuesday, the school board directed administration to solicit proposals to the current soccer field and track at Springdale High School.

That scope of services includes geological and infiltration testing, a site survey and artificial turf installation through a cooperative purchasing program.

It also includes professional services for coordination of testing required for project design; development of a master plan for the site as an athletic facility or stadium; and assistance in determining phasing and procurement for the design, bidding and construction administration of the project.

Board President Nino Pollino said the motion is for the field, track and any designs that might be considered for future use.

“This encapsulates everything that was discussed,” Superintendent Patrick Graczyk said. “We can narrow it down from there.”

Both parties have said a return to Veterans Memorial Field for Dynamo football isn’t out of the question. Graczyk previously said the school’s soccer field and track are in poor condition and noted something will have to be done regardless of the football issue.