The long-awaited Keyser High School football field should be ready for practice by late November, said KHS Principal Charles Wimer, who told board of education members at the Tuesday meeting that he doesn’t expect the field to be ready in time for home games.
“No I don’t believe by October 23, the last home game, that the field will be ready,” said Wimer, to board members when asked if the field would be ready for play this fall. “The contractors are really
conservative and won’t give us a date yet.”
Currently, the lights and poles are in and are being stored inside on the school’s stage, said Wimer, representing the oversight committee of the KHS athletic complex.
Holes for the lights need to be dug – holes as large as 16 feet deep and 30 inches in diameter, however, before any work can be done on this portion of the project, an auger must be located to do the digging.
“Things are going to be happening up there,” said Wimer. “Things broke a week and a half ago.”
When the lights are secured, it will be a money-saver to the school due to having to rent lights during the playoffs when players practice at night.
“The way it is going, we will be practicing on the field by late November,” said Wimer.
Meeting with the turf company, Wimer said the contract is in the committee’s possession, they just need to sign it.
“Next week we are sending people in to layoff the field,” said Wimer. “During the first week of September, we will have bull dozers in to lay on the dirt.”
If the weather holds up, said Wimer, the synthetic dirt will be in place by late September.
As for the bleachers, the material has been ordered and the committee is waiting on the material delivery.
Late October is the target date for the completion of bleachers.
“If the bleachers are finished and the lights are up, they will consider us for the play-offs this year,” said Wimer. “They have to come in and look at us and give us the stamp of approval.”
Next on the long list of plans for the football field is the fencing.
Two bids have been accepted, said Wimer, adding that it is very important for the committee to make a decision to maintain security at the field.
“We really need to make a decision on the fencing once the synthetic turf is put down so no one will get in it,” said Wimer.
This week, work will be done on the PA and communication systems. New board member Craig Rotruck asked why no contracts have been shared with the public.
“It would be nice to see a contract to answer people’s questions about the field, people who fund the program in the community either
voluntarily or through taxes,” said Rotruck. “You need to get things taken care of because I’m here for the next four years,”
Wimer stated that at a progress meeting all in attendance had access to contracts with a speaker sharing the scope of the contract aloud.
“There has only been one contract signed and that has been awarded to Musco for the lights,” said
Wimer.  “We were told at the last meeting what the cost would be for the lights for the baseball and football fields together. No contracts have been awarded outside the committee’s work. No bids have been looked at.”
Board member LaRue stated that the board should have access to all
contracts coming in.   Wimer said that the committee members want the project to be controlled by the KHS, instead of the board.
“We want it to appear to be very much KHS and community controlled,” said Wimer.
Treasurer Steve Peer said the board does need to be more involved and Hackworth added that the board will appoint one or two people to be involved on the oversight committee.
“It is a delicate balance,” said Peer. “The board as a body and the employees should be involved regardless of who constructs it. You on the board have a responsibility.  Someone should be on the committee.”