Weather Not Hindering Artificial Turf Project At Rockville HS

VERNON, CT — The wild July weather hasn't hampered the project to install and artificial turf field and a new track and field surface at the Rockville High School stadium and the work could be completed by mid-August.

That was the word from RHS Athletic Director Jeff Farrell Thursday.

Highlights of the work include:

• The basic 120-yards of field, plus the sidelines and buffer room have been placed with the basic football lines.
• Permanent soccer lines (lacrosse lines will be painted on seasonally) and an RHS sideline logo will be added soon, along with a large R in the center of the field.
• The asphalt base for the track and field areas is also down and the rubberized surface will be added soon.
• The jumping pit and runway have been relocated to an area adjacent to the high jump.
• The pole vault pit is in a separate area.
• A separate shot put circle and grid has been fashioned at the lower field adjacent to the discus cage.

"We've had some crazy weather, but the company has hustled to make up any time lost," Farrell said. "He added Aug. 15 is the target date for completion, citing a report from the co tractor, South Windsor-based Liberty Landscapes.

The official completion target is Sept. 1, the day school starts.

Vernon Superintendent of School Joseph Macary has been tracking the progress of the project in a camera and monitor system set up in assistant superintendent Robert Testa's office.

Macary said starting the project before Labor Day and favorable June weather let the work get off to a fast start. He also credited the local ad hoc committee for "seeing potential problems before they developed."

"We knew we had a solid committee and a good co with Liberty Landscapes," Macary said. "And with good weather in June. the pieces fell into place."

The plan to replace the natural grass surface with artificial turf at the Rockville High School stadium and renovate the RHS track and field surface was overwhelmingly approved by local voters in April. The tally was 336 yes votes and 128 no votes.

The Vernon Town Council had previously voted to send the plan to a town meeting.

The total cost of the complex is $1,549,171, funded by available cash. vTo pay for the field, a total of $1,129,462 will be taken out of the capital non-recurring fund for education for a Field Turf surface and maintenance plan. The balance — $419,709 for a new track and field surface — will come from the municipal general fund.

Macary said an artificial surface will add 30 to 35 days of usage to the complex because of fewer drainage and weather-related issues.