Township debates $40,000'$50,000 cost to rebuild Field A; board holds off pending budget review

Williams Township supervisors debated whether to add infield mix to athletic fields or to perform a more extensive rebuild that staff and board members said could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Board members described persistent erosion and an 18-inch incline at Field A that causes infield mix to wash away. Chair and other members stressed that simply adding infield mix repeatedly will worsen problems because the infield bins would become deeper and bases would not seat properly. One speaker summarized the contractor estimate for doing the work "right" as between $40,000 and $50,000, and noted that full reconstruction would require removing fencing, regrading, erosion controls and possibly significant contractor fees.

Some board members suggested using public-works labor to rip out existing infield material; others favored budgeting for professional work during the next budget cycle. Staff said an aeration contract had been signed for work to be done between September and October, but some members objected to paying for aeration while fields are in use.

Why it matters: The township's recreational fields host local youth sports and are a primary fundraiser for the fire department carnival; decisions about repair scope and timing affect safety, usability and township budget priorities.

Quotes: "If we keep adding infield mix, I'm gonna keep getting complaints that the bases aren't staying in the bins because the bins are too short," a board member said. "The estimate that we got from you guys just from doing the field ... was between $40,000 and $50,000," another member said.

What happens next: The board said it will consider the item in the upcoming budget process and decide on whether to hire a contractor or use public works to do removal and replacement work.