Rollin’ on; Turf installed at Art Hass as work is almost back on schedule
Crews were busy laying down the artificial turf over Art Hass Stadium Friday afternoon. The turf will not only cover Art Hass but the practice field inside Larry Gabrielson Track and Field to the north. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Work at the Wescott Field Athletic Complex is rolling back on track after rains put a damper on the project late last month.
Workers rolled turf onto Art Hass Stadium Friday, marking a big step in the $5.2 million project to install artificial turf on both complex fields and to install artificial turf and eventually a seasonal dome.
After rains put the project slightly behind schedule, Austin Public Schools Director of Facility Services Mat Miller said in an email that crews have made up time in recent weeks by working weekends.
“It appears that we are getting back to the original schedule, so long as the weather continues to cooperate with the work that needs to be completed,” he wrote in the email.
Crews were busy laying down the artificial turf over Art Hass Stadium Friday afternoon. The turf will not only cover Art Hass but the practice field inside Larry Gabrielson Track and Field to the north. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Workers still need to finish the sidewalks and grading around the stadium turf.
On Larry Gabrielson Track and Field, crews are still working to remove top soils, while replacing it with a sand layer. Next, they’ll haul a base rock with the goal of installing the artificial turf in early August, according to Miller.
Another roll of artifical turf is rolled out as crews worked Friday installing the surface on Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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.
