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Moon Area seeks repairs for new ball fields
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Like fly balls into foul territory, issues with Moon Area School District's new baseball and softball complex keep popping up.
Drainage and grading problems at the baseball field are so bad that the team has been unable to use it. School directors and administrators addressed contractors Monday evening about the complex, which was built as part of the high school building project completed in January.
"Who owns these issues? And how are we going to get it done?" director Ron Steele asked.
Drainage troubles on both fields, fading and peeling paint on the baseball dugout, and the misplacement of foul poles are some of the concerns outlined in a 20-item list provided to the contractors by the district.
"It's an eyesore. You have these two beautiful buildings and that in between," said superintendent Donna Milanovich, referring to the new high school and the former high school, which has been renovated and transformed into a middle school.
Correction of problems with the baseball infield will cost about $8,500, and the question of who will pay for it is in dispute.
The contractors believe it is the district's responsibility to pay because the infield had been turned over to the school district and was accepted last year.
"I would disagree with that. I don't believe it has ever been put in properly," Mrs. Milanovich said.
S&S Processing Inc., an athletic field specialty firm, has been named to do repair work to the infield, which initially was done by Nello Construction.
The foul post, outfield and dugout issues are being taken care of without further cost to the district.
"At first blush, it appears it's moisture that is causing the [dugout] paint to peel," said Robert G. Naugle, a principal with Eckles Group, an architecture and engineering firm. "We will see that the item is resolved."
Brian L. Fulkerson, project manager with Eckles Group, said the fields were initially designed with plans to place a soccer field in the outfield area and were not designed to include the permanent fence now in place. The fence does not affect the drainage of the field, he said.
Mr. Fulkerson admits the "grades do not match up" and said "if corrected, the field would drain properly."
Cost for repairs to the outfield are estimated at less than $10,000 and will be taken care of by Executive Landscaping and paid for out of the existing landscaper contract, Mr. Fulkerson said.
Although the softball team was able to make its debut on the new softball field as scheduled last spring, water issues there are also a concern.
Both fields are expected to be available by spring.
First Published September 20, 2012 4:59 am
