Toms River Gives $1.1M For Turf Fields At 3 Elementary Schools

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River officials presented a check for $1.1 million to the Toms River Regional School District on Wednesday night, money that will be used for maintenance work on turf fields at three of the district's elementary schools.

The fields at Walnut Street, West Dover, and East Dover elementary schools are part of a shared services agreement between the school district and Toms River Township, and the fields are in need of resurfacing, officials said.

The three elementary school fields are used by local flag football teams, lacrosse teams, and soccer teams in addition to the schools, Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill said Wednesday in presenting the check.

The money is funding Toms River received under the federal American Rescue Plan, Hill said. Township officials researched the options and found the funds could be used for recreational facilities, so that was the path Toms River chose rather than just using the money in the township's budget.

"It would have been a one-shot deal," Hill said outside the school board meeting, and that could have created budgeting problems going forward.

"We're glad to do this with the ARP money," Hill said.

"These fields are utilized on the daily not only by the school district but by the community," Toms River Superintendent Michael Citta said.

Citta said discussions already are underway to make the arrangements to get the refurbishment of the fields done, with the hope that they are completed by summer or by the time the leagues begin at the latest.