Art Hass finished, work on track field continues

Published 9:55 am Friday, August 7, 2015

Doug Bywater cuts out numbers for the turf at Larry Gabrielson Track and Field.

Doug Bywater cuts out numbers for the turf at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field.

Art Hass Field is game-ready ahead of the upcoming start to fall sports.

The turf on Art Hass is officially finished, and work started Wednesday on the turf at Larry Gilbertson Track and Field in the Wescott Athletic Complex.

Workers finished the turf on the Art Hass Stadium Tuesday and Wednesday, marking a big step in the $5.2 million project to install artificial turf on both complex fields and to install a seasonal dome.

The field turf is completed on Art Hass field at Wescott Athletic Complex, but work continues to install turf on Larry Gabrielson Track and Field.  Photos by Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

The field turf is completed on Art Hass field at Wescott Athletic Complex, but work continues to install turf on Larry Gilbertson Track and Field.
Photos by Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

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After early rains put the project slightly behind schedule, crews made up time by working weekends and with the recent sunny weather.

The project is being paid for with $2.5 million from Austin Public School reserves, as well as contributions from the Hormel Foundation and a community campaign. The school board voted 5-1 to move forward on the $5.2 million project during its regular meeting on Feb. 10.

The dome is part of a larger community recreation center project intended to meet community needs. The district has discussed putting artificial turf on the fields for several years, since some sports now require artificial turf for some tournament games.