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Wheeling Park High School Turf Project Still Battling Elements

By JOSELYN KING 3 min read

WHEELING - The new turf for Wheeling Park High School's baseball field is on site, but the weather is still not cooperating for its placement.

Meanwhile, renovations at the nearby track area are nearly complete, and the track should be ready in time for the Dick Dei Track Classic on April 8, according to Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones.

The WPHS baseball team is continuing to play its games on the field at West Liberty University. A gravel surface first has to be placed on the WPHS field before the new turf can be placed.

"We have a real small part of the gravel to get done, but the field has to be dry," Jones said. "The turf is laying there in big rolls. Once they start, it should go quickly."

Previously the AstroTurf company said it would take three weeks to lay the turf after the gravel and ground were compacted, but Jones suspects the work could be done in closer to two weeks.

"They're already behind, I think they're motivated to throw some more people at it and get it done," he said.

Jones hoped workers would be on site during the weekend to complete the work.

The Ohio County Board of Education approved the $1.5 million contract with Astroturf to place the turf last August. The money is to come from the school district's general budget, and is not part of the $42.2 million in bond work approved by voters in 2018.

Close by, the JD&E Construction Firm is putting the finishing touches on Phase 2 of upgrades to the school's track area, Jones continued.

Last year, the track was resurfaced, and a slip in the nearby hillside was replaced. The cost for Phase 1 of track improvements came in at about $300,000 and was paid for through the terms of a $42.2 million bond issue approved by voters in 2018.

Phase 2, meanwhile, has included the construction of a new press box, a concession stand and handicapped accessible restroom building, and a training area structure with a roof for award presentations.

JD&E was awarded the contract for the work in October after submitting the low bid of $1,279,200. Phase 2 was paid for through the school district's budget carryover funds,

Jones noted that Todd Dei, a project manager for JD&E, is the son of Dick Dei.

"I know they are going above and beyond to make sure this is done in time," Jones said.

Upgrades to the track and baseball field came after the Ohio County Board of Education in 2021 also approved the construction of a multi-purpose athletic field at WPHS that is used for such events as band practice and girls softball and soccer competitions.

The AstroTurf company provided the turf for the athletic field at a cost of $588,581, with the project paid for through the 2018 bond funds.

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