Construction on stadiums continues with turf installed | News, Sports, Jobs - The Sentinel

Oct 16, 2024

Photo courtesy of MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTContractors installed the artificial turf at the new Marcal Paper Field, located near the site of the former Highland Park Elementary School.

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District knows time is winding down on its Husky Multi-Sports Facilities Project and school officials aren’t looking at the numbers on the brand-new scoreboards (by the way, they are on order and have yet to be installed).

State grant funding for the $18.5 million facility is contingent on certain parts of the project being completed by the end of the year, which is mainly the construction of the two field houses. There is a field house planned for the main stadium, called Kish Bank Field at Donald M. Chapman III Stadium as well as one at the secondary stadium, to be known as Marcal Paper Field.

The field house at the main stadium will be called Geisinger Field House, while the secondary facility will be Fleet Reps Field House

“The two field houses that are being built are tied into a $3 million grant from the federal Department of Treasury, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development” Mifflin County School District Superintendent of Schools Vance Varner said.

“This grant needs the funds to be allocated by December 31, 2024,” Varner added.

Photo courtesy of MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTContractors installed the artificial turf at the new Marcal Paper Field, located near the site of the former Highland Park Elementary School.

So it makes sense that the field houses are the focus before other parts of the new project. Varner said the two field houses are on schedule to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.

Installation of the new synthetic turf field at the secondary field certainly must have been tantalizing for athletics, who have competed on sub-standard playing surfaces for decades (which could have been worse if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of the maintenance and grounds crew).

“The quality of the playing surface is improved – gone will be the days of the bare dirt in front of soccer and field hockey goal, etc.,” Varner promised.

And the soggy sod at venerable Mitchell Field.

Plus, the turf fields will address other important issues that have been subject to scrutiny for years.

“Turf fields will mean having a safer and more consistent playing surface for the student athletes, band members, physical education classes, community organizations, etc.,” Varner said.

Having a more durable surface will allow the fields to be used with much more frequency – unlike grass surfaces which couldn’t withstand all of the wear and tear.

And there should be fewer scheduling issues due to inclement weather.

“Games will be able to be played within minutes of a heavy downpour,” Varner said.

The turf at the main stadium will be installed once installation of the home bleachers has been completed. Varner said work on the bleachers is expected to start within the next two weeks.

“We have to get the home bleachers installed first before they can add the curbing, which is needed to install the artificial turf,” he added.

Having lights at both fields will also extend the times when games and practices can be scheduled, which were limited by sunlight previously.

“Multiple games and practices can be scheduled each day and into the evenings,” Varner added. That gives the Husky teams the ability to play more games within the regular season instead of suffering through multiple postponements due to field conditions.

“They’ll be a greater opportunity for extended use from very early spring into late fall,” he added.

The addition of lights at both fields also provides more opportunities for all groups to play night games. In turn, that will afford some parents the opportunities to attend games and competitions that they might not usually have due to conflicting work schedules.

The district also expects the upgrade in facilities to enable them to host playoff games not only for Husky teams but as a neutral site.

BRICKS REMAIN ON SALE

The Mifflin County Stadium Project Committee encourages community members to support the project by taking advantage of the opportunity to have their names engraved into history and in the new stadium.

A limited number of personalized 4-inch by 8-inch bricks are for sale whereby supporters can buy one and stake their claim on this generational event. Each brick comes with three engraved lines of up to 18 spaces per line.

Supporters can imagine walking into the new facility in 2025, how proud they will feel and the fun of locating their brick and posing for photos.

The price of each brick has been lowered to $200, through Oct. 31, 2024, as an incentive to participate in the campaign. After that date, the price per brick will be $250.

JOIN THE $1,000 CLUB

If you would like to donate $1,000 or more, contact the committee through their website, www.mcstadiumproject.com, and they can explain how the $1,000 Club works.

Club members will receive a special bronze plaque in the stadium, which lists the names of those contributing to the project.

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