Blair Ballpark Repairs on Schedule

LAKEMONT, BLAIR COUN TY - Weve been tracking the million dollar plus field replacement project for the past several months. Now the new turf is going in quickly at the Blair County Ballpark. In a matter of days, this will again be a field of green. Because of the expense involved, replacing the playing field and drainage system at the Blair County Ballfield become a matter of some controversy. After a couple of games had to be cancelled last year because of poor playing conditions, team officials made it clear that extensive repairs needed to be made to the ten year old ball field. But it was only after a state grant of one point three million dollars was secured for the work that construction crews were able to move in last November. They dug out the old field down to a depth of about two feet so that a completely new drainage system could be installed. Work had to be put on hold over the winter but now is back on schedule. Workers were able to return to the job last week because there was enough of a thaw in the ground to be able to start installing the warning track material. The new sod also arrived this week and is already down on the infield and a portion of the out-field. By late next week, the entire field should be installed. That will give the new turf a couple of weeks to take root and be in great shape by the time opening day rolls around April sixteenth. In case there is a chill, there are heaters installed so it will keep the ground thawed enough so that they can continue their work. At this point, team officials are confident the field will be ready well ahead of the season. When it comes to paying for this expensive field improvement project, the political leaders who helped land the state grant say they were just glad to get the money though the Governors office. They point out that the stadium is the property of Blair County and the new field was a key in getting the new owners of the Curve to sign a long term lease.