At a special meeting Monday, the Watonga School District approved a contract with Hellas Construction to install synthetic turf on one of the school’s baseball fields.
The work is scheduled to begin Sept. 15, and the company has 120 days to complete the project. The board voted at its August 18 meeting to use Hellas and to use a lease purchase option to fund the $1.1 million costs. There could be up to another $25,000 needed to upgrade soft spots in the existing field.
Lease purchase is often used to finance larger purchases because it allows payment over time at favorable rates. Portions of the upgrade on the football stadium were also financed through lease purchase options.
The plan is to install the turf on the baseball field closest to the football stadium, known as Bernhardt Field. The surface will be inlaid with an alternating darker and lighter green turf as well as a red ‘W’ and the fighting eagle insignia.
While the field will be constructed and fenced to baseball specifications, the intent is to install a portable fence on wheels so that it can be restricted in size to meet softball requirements as well, allowing it to be used for both sports.
The fencing is not included in the original price tag.
Athletic Director Kirk Wilson noted that the school chose to go with Hellas because the turf it will use is especially created for baseball and softball play. That company also uses a patented drainage system for its fields. He has gone and visited other fields, both those Hellas installed and other companies who sent bids, such as APG and United.
“Between the price, quality and the aggressiveness they used to show us they want our business, it’s a no brainer to me to recommend Hellas,” Wilson said.