Completion of Kiwanis Oval Project Delayed

While Hurricane Earl spared much of the region, the threat of the weekend storm and its potential for fierce winds did have an impact on one spot in the area.

In anticipation of the high winds from the storm, which ended up producing just a few light showers in the area, Applied Landscape Technologies delayed installing the artificial turf at the Kiwanis Oval last week.

The threat of the hurricane and four straight days of rain last month have pushed back the completion of the nearly $2 million multi-use facility until about Sept. 20, according to Mario BiFalco, Caldwell's director of public works.

"It's looking like the week of the 20th," Bifalco said last week. "Somewhere in that area is going to be the drop-dead date."

However, Lake Hiawatha-based Applied Landscape Technologies, which was  to construct the football, baseball, lacrosse and soccer facility, could face steep fines if the project isn't completed within 90 days of the start date.

According to Mario Iannelli, the project's manager from Birdsall Services Group, construction began about June 13 and was expected to be completed around Sept. 13.

Officials from the construction company are expected to request the Borough of Caldwell, the lead agency, to grant an extension due to the heavy rain last month and the threat of the hurricane.

"They are going to go to the mayor and council and let them know," Bifalco said. "The guy was testifying the delays, the hurricane, the four days of rain. We, at our level, feel that it's a fair assessment."

With favorable weather conditions throughout the summer, the project, which has been jointly funded by Caldwell, West Caldwell, Caldwell College and grants secured by Essex County, remained on schedule early last month.

While the four days of rain in August were a significant setback for the construction, it enabled officials to ensure the new drainage system was working properly.

"We weren't expecting the rain we got last time. They were doing the finish grade of stone, which put a hurt on them," Bifalco said.

"In my opinion, I thought the rain was good because we got to see our drainage system working. For me, I liked it because if we were going to have trouble I think we probably would have had it. We were out during the rain with umbrellas. Seeing what I saw then, I am a little more at ease."

The recent delays will have the biggest impact on the Caldwell Junior Chiefs football program.

The teams, which had practiced in previous years at the Kiwanis Oval, have been working out at Memorial Park during the construction and will continue to do so until the Oval is completed, according to Gabe DiMasi, director of the West Caldwell-Caldwell Recreation Department.

In addition, games will remain at James Caldwell High School until the new facility is completed, while the junior varsity team will play its first few games on the road due to field constraints, DiMasi said.

With the soccer season approaching in a few weeks, DiMasi said the recreation department will continue to juggle the fields until the teams can use the Kiwanis Oval, and more importantly, the facility's lights.

"It inconveniences us a little bit, but it's part of the job," DiMasi said. "You juggle fields. That's what we do. I wish it was done, but we'll get it done."