Northern Lehigh School District hopes fence around field will curb vandalism

Northern Lehigh School District officials hope the installation of a chain-link fence will help curb vandalism at one of its sports facilities.

The district will receive bids for the fence until 1 p.m. Wednesday, at which time the bids will be opened for a 4-foot-high fence around its existing field hockey field.

Vandalism has been an "ongoing problem" at the site, according to Greg Derr, director of support services and transportation.

"We've had a lot of problems with vandalism to the field," Derr said. "We're also concerned about the safety of small children during game times."

Derr said the matter has cropped up from time to time.

"It's a recurring problem with someone driving their car across the field hockey field, and actually destroying the field," he said. "Fortunately, there hasn't been much cost to the district."

The district anticipates the fence will cost about $20,000, and paid for from out of the district's long-range facility funds, said Derr, who added the project could get under way next month.

In September, Derr said the district could save money on specifications for the fence through its current working relationship with D'Huy Engineers, who is in charge of the Slatington Elementary renovation project.

At that time, he said the field will be used for the spring soccer season this year, as well as for the girls soccer season in the spring of 2010-11.