MILLBURN, NJ — A long-planned makeover of Millburn High School's athletic fields is officially underway.
Millburn Township and the Board of Education broke ground Tuesday, September 1, on a joint project that will add synthetic turf and lighting to several school fields.
The township awarded a $5,666,283 contract to Thomas & Sons Builders LLC. That price came in below the roughly $7 million projected budget, and the township and school board will split the cost, according to the announcement.
Plans call for turf at two multipurpose fields and the varsity baseball field. Lighting will be added at each newly turfed field and at Miller Field, which is used for varsity softball.
For local families and recreation teams, the project is expected to make finding field time a little easier. Township officials said the upgrades should reduce scheduling problems and cancellations while creating about 1,120 additional playable hours for community programs.
Officials also said the organic infill turf should improve safety and the playing experience while reducing daily maintenance for grounds crews.
"This is a monumental project for the Township," Committeeman Ben Stoller said.
Stoller, who served on committees involved in advancing the project, said the partnership will create "more field options for the whole community" as Millburn's recreation programs continue to grow.
Township and school officials, Recreation Department employees, Recreation Commission members and the project engineer's representatives attended the groundbreaking.
Earlier presentations and public feedback are available on the township's high school field project page.
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