HILLSDALE, N.J.—Administrator Michael Ghassali said May 12 that progress on Memorial Field was “moving forward,” with installation of a drainage system.
He said the field was expected to be flat in a couple of weeks, and the field house was being remodeled with the help of sports commissioners and coaches. He said the field house should be completed when the artificial turf field is completed.
Ghassali said one delay involves the playground’s installation, which will be done in phases. He said the delays were related to funding and the choice of subsurface flooring for the area. He said some flooring might need to be replaced, while another surface would be more permanent.
He said the borough may have the flooring installed first, along with some play equipment this year, with more playground equipment likely to be added next year. He called the playground delay the “only hiccup” so far.
Ghassali said artificial turf will be installed after the drainage system is completed. He estimated 30 truckloads of new soil will be added to backfill retaining walls and support plantings.
Councilman Clemente Osso asked if Ghassali foresaw any additional change orders on the project. Ghassali said one more change order, related to installing cameras on poles around the park, was possible.
In his May 5 report to the council, Nick Chelius, borough engineer with Colliers Engineering & Design, reported that the contractor was completing drainage and utility work. He said Colliers was working on a supplemental landscaping plan for a guide rail along Washington Avenue.
In early April, Chelius said the $5.8 million Memorial Field renovation project would likely finish by mid-June, plus or minus a few weeks depending on spring weather conditions.