Artificial Turf Project in Ocean City to Begin After High School Graduation

Ocean City, NJ -- The installation of artificial turf at Carey Stadium is on track to begin in the middle of June, shortly after Ocean City High School graduation, officials said on Thursday.

The city administration has approved the partial resodding of the field until work begins. That project began this week, and includes $20,000 worth of sod. The city will attempt to reuse the sod at another field, a common practice when the grass has little time to take root, officials said.

Earlier this year, City Council awarded a $449,900 contract to the LandTek Group of Amityville, N.Y., for installation and a $494,721 to FieldTurf USA Inc of Calhoun, Ga., for the purchase of materials.

That approval came about year after Ocean City canceled its plans to install an artificial turf field at Carey Stadium over safety concerns.

The new plan calls for the use of all-natural cork as opposed to crumb rubber that may have been linked to the diagnosis of cancer in 38 college soccer players, specifically goalies.

“I’m absolutely confident that the all-natural cork infill of the new turf will pose no health threat to anybody using the field,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement Thursday morning.

City Council approved the measure with a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Peter Guinosso casting the dissenting vote.

In addition to graduation, Carey Stadium will host a showdown between the local Ocean City Nor’easters men’s soccer club and the D.C. United professional club, as well as the American Heart Association Heart Walk, all before installation of artificial turf is scheduled to begin.

Graduation Day is June 15.