Maloney's
future may be lawnmower-free
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | Maloney Stadium could undergo its first major work in 12 years. The school board hired Lititz, Pa., consulting firm ELA Group to analyze and design an artificial field at the 82-year-old home of the Stateliners. FieldTurf, which many schools have turned to for its durability, can cost more than $500,000. But, "we're going to go after this with strictly private funding," said Salvatore Patti, athletic committee chairman. School board President Paul Rummerfield said there's concern about the wear and tear on the current field. Besides football, the field is used for the band and other sports. "There's just too many events on it," Rummerfield said. The ever-expanding student population also might add to the abuse. If the school has to install more trailers on the physical education fields, the displaced gym classes would have to turn to Maloney. Athletic committee member Kevin DeGerolamo said youth sports teams would be able to use the new field. "It's something we need," DeGerolamo said. "It's going to help the whole community." FieldTurf is the next generation of turf, using ground-up sneakers and a fake grass to come as close as possible to a natural field. The track surface would also be replaced. ELA Group has done work on fields at more than a half-dozen high schools and Penn State University. The school district will pay more than $2,000 for the consultation. In 1995, the district spent $3 million to rebuild the stands at Maloney Stadium and redo the track and field. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission. |