Thorpe trying for turf at stadium

There is a renewed effort to install artificial turf at Jim Thorpe’s Olympian Stadium, which has been plagued by wet and muddy conditions in recent years.

Led by new school board members, the district is making a push to possibly install the surface in time for the 2020-21 school year.

The board has been courting corporate sponsors to help fund the cost of the new field, which would cost upward of $800,000-$1.5 million.

“Now is the time to make this decision. There is no doubt in my mind this has to get done,” said board member TJ Garritano.

Both Lehighton and Palmerton have upgraded to a turf field in recent years.

District officials say a turf field is needed at Jim Thorpe because the current natural grass surface has had drainage issues for years.

Artificial turf fields can be built to withstand more water than a natural grass field.

In the fall 2019 season, muddy conditions forced the district to move several boys and girls soccer games, which were originally scheduled to be played in the stadium, as well as one junior high football game.

On the girls soccer team’s senior night, the team held a ceremony on the track at the stadium, but actually played their game on a practice field set up on the outfield of the school’s baseball field.

“From a scheduling standpoint, turf would definitely make things a lot easier,” said athletic director Dustin McAndrew.

Soccer parents say their teams deserve the opportunity to play in the stadium just like the varsity football team.

Kristen O’Neil was one of a group of boys’ soccer parents who last year asked the board to let them have more games at the stadium. This year they had three games at the stadium out of a potential nine, she said.

“It’s just a shame that the kids didn’t get to hear their names announced at every game — that’s a special meaning to those varsity kids, something to work toward,” she said.

Garritano estimates that a turf field at the stadium would be able to support 72 sporting events for Jim Thorpe athletics alone, versus just a handful right now. Playing under the lights would allow teams to schedule games in the evening when working parents can attend.

“Our soccer team was the no. 1 seed in District 11 and the games have to start at 3:30 because of daylight issues at the end of the year,” he said.

Garritano said a turf field could also be used for tournaments to bring in extra revenue for the district.

Last January, the board met with two vendors who made proposals for a turf field. The costs ranged between $842,000 and $1.2 million.

The discussions didn’t go much further than that.

Garritano won a seat on the board in the fall and since then has been meeting with businesses looking for ways to fund the stadium.

He said the board is in discussion with a potential sponsor but he cannot announce details until the deal is finalized.

“The ultimate goal is to not increase taxes, not increase the budget, and have someone else pay for it,” Garritano said.

The board plans to discuss the turf field at its next regular meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the district offices.