You have three months to create a viable football field. Your time begins now.
That's the situation facing the West Prairie District as personnel begin converting an unused softball field and open ground into a surface for the West Prairie 8-man football team.
First step was laying out the field, which runs in a southeast to northwest direction, according to architect designs when a proposed field and track were first considered. Collins Excavating removed existing poles and electrical service and provided fill dirt and grading. At first, plans called for seeding the prepared grounds, but the Board elected to install sod from Best Kept Sod Farm near Quincy. The Colchester Fire Protection District has been supplying water twice a week through nearby hydrants and hoses, and several sprinklers run continuously.
Laverdiere Construction relocated the nearly-new scoreboard from the Sciota field to the northwest end of the proposed field, again in keeping with the original plans. New goal posts were installed by Anthem Sports and padding by Beacon Athletics.
More recently, trenching and electrical service has been performed by Power Factor who also installed new wooden poles for lighting from LED Lighting Supply. AccousticBay provided the public address system. Power Factor is installing the poles and mounting the lights and other accessories.
Some of the smaller metal bleachers will be relocated from the Sciota field, and three separate sets of three-tier scaffolding will be utilized temporarily for each team's 'eye-in-the-sky' crew as well as for the announcer and press. At present, concession and bathroom facilities will be temporary with likely new construction coming later.
