Capital Project work at C. Ashley Morgan Field nears completion

With new natural grass sod and LED lights already installed, the Capital Project work at C. Ashley Morgan Field is about 90 percent complete. The field will remain closed, however, while the roots continue to germinate.

The project expanded the 160-foot-wide football-only field to create a 185-foot-wide multi-sport, natural grass field that will allow students from other sports teams to play at the stadium at night, under the lights.

Work on the field started in February and progressed enough to schedule the Warwick Valley High School graduation there, but the weather forced the event inside.

The old six-lane track was removed and will be replaced by an eight-lane track and the field events area was relocated from the center of the field to its own area at the end of the field. The track area has already been paved and will be resurfaced starting at the end of this week. The track will remain closed until the new rubberized running surface has been installed and allowed to cure. New fencing has been installed, and the new field restrooms are nearly complete, which will be available for public events such as games and graduations.

Other improvements include new countdown clocks for football, an irrigation system for the field and a storage facility.

The first football game on the new field and under the new lights will be on Sept. 1 when the Wildcats host Binghamton.