Eight years of playing football, lacrosse, soccer and field hockey at Norwin Stadium has taken its toll, tearing up the artificial turf to the extent it needs to be replaced, according to Norwin athletic director Brandon Rapp.
Replacing the surface on the Knights’ football field “is one of our more pressing needs,” Rapp told the Norwin School Board at its Monday workshop.
Under a 2010 warranty that expired last year, 77 tears in the turf were mended prior to the 2018 football season, saving the district about $7,000. But, Rapp said, those repairs are “not holding true.”
P.J. Petrarco, director of facilities and property services, told the board he and a member of the maintenance staff had to glue down a section of the turf prior to the WPIAL Class 5A championship game in November.
“There are sections (of the turf) you can grab up,” Rapp said.
Rapp recommended replacing the turf during the summer so the field would be ready for the 2019 football season. He estimated the project could cost about $400,000, but said that figure might be reduced if the work is coordinated with similar projects at other area school districts.
Norwin likely will have about $1 million in its capital improvements budget for 2019-2010, said Ryan Kirsch, business affairs director.
At its Feb. 21 meeting, the board may consider voting to seek bids for the turf project.
Bids also would be sought for replacing the infield of the girls’ softball field, similar to a project completed last year at the boys baseball field, Rapp said.
Installing artificial turf on the softball infield might cost only $80,000, compared to the estimated $260,000 for installing turf on the baseball field, Rapp said.
Bids also may be solicited for replacing the artificial track around the football field, which has a crack in the pole vault runway, Rapp said. Replacing the track could cost $200,000 to $300,000, he said.
“That is a major, major expense,” Rapp said.
