Neshaminy Field Renovations Near Completion

LANGHORNE, PA —Neshaminy High School's athletic fields have undergone a transformation over the past few months. See video below of the work.

With the end of the fall sports season, work got underway for new baseball, multi-purpose, and softball fields and tennis courts at the Middletown Township high school, with the goal to get them ready for the spring sports season, school officials said.

The Neshaminy School District has posted pictures and provided updates on the $13 million fields project over the winter months.

"Almost done," the district said in its most recent Facebook post about the project. "As we say a bittersweet goodbye to the old stadium, a very bright reminder of the good things to come is nearing completion in the background. The Ridge will continue to hold its special place in our community serving the next generations of Neshaminy students, athletes, families, and fans just like it has for the past 70 years."

Drainage work under the multi-purpose, softball, and baseball fields was completed along with the installation of the sub-surface and turf fields, said Chris Stanley, the district's spokesman.

Backstop and fencing poles were added to the baseball field. Concrete footing for a new electronic scoreboard at the multi-purpose field was also completed, along with the installation of electrical conduits for the scoreboard.

In Harry E. Franks Stadium, the rubber track and long jump surfaces were removed. The grass playing field and topsoil will be removed and graded in preparation for a new turf field and track surface.

The Football Hall of Fame pavilion and snack stand were also dismantled. Both will be recreated in the area of a new gateway entrance and field house.

Demolition of the home and away bleachers began on Dec. 1.

The original concrete bleachers on the home side, which have held generations of Neshaminy fans, will be replaced with red and blue metallic bleachers, eliminating the need for expensive repairs that would have eventually been required with the old bleachers.

The press box will be replaced, and the final design and engineering plans for the new field house are near completion.

The project is scheduled for completion by the spring and summer.

One part of the project that will be delayed involves enlarging the high school athletic field track from six to eight lanes.

The district will spend $406,269 for that change order to the renovation project, which was approved unanimously at the district's Jan. 24 school board meeting.

School Board Member Kellen Sporny said at the meeting that the renovation would allow for multi-school and district-wide track meets. He said that opportunity was opened with the new stands at the stadium.