Turf is closer to becoming a reality at Cherry Hill High Schools East and West as Cherry Hill Township and the Cherry Hill Board of Education have announced preliminary plans to install new multi-sport turf fields at both schools.
The Cherry Hill Board of Education approved a letter of intent supporting phase one of the project at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The project would create new turf facilities at each high school for use by the schools’ football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey programs. Plans also include track and field improvements at both schools. The facilities would be available for public use when the high school teams and district are not using the facilities.
“The township and board of education have been working together for months to identify ways to improve our schools’ athletic facilities and address the concerns of both parents and students,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said in a statement on Thursday. “My administration remains committed to partnering with the District to ensure our student-athletes have access to first-rate, competitive facilities that are well maintained and safe for play.”
Turf fields provide numerous advantages to natural grass fields, including enhanced safety, lower annual maintenance costs, more competitive play and increased playability.
The terms of the agreement for Phase 1 of the project include turf installation, track and field improvements, necessary drainage, netting and D-zones.
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate on this project with the Township,” said Cherry Hill Board of Education President Carol Matlack. “Over the next several weeks, we will continue working with the township on the shared service agreement, making sure all questions and concerns regarding the project are addressed as we move forward.”
Future improvements being considered for a possible second phase of the project include lighting, the installation of new bleachers, the construction of a field house at East, and a new parking lot and parking lot lighting at West.
Construction is currently expected to begin in spring 2016, with an anticipated completion date in the fall of 2016.
Check back with www.cherryhillsun.com for additional details when the shared services agreement is completed.
