Hormel Under Construction

Work has begun in recent weeks on a project to create an artificial turf field at Hormel Stadium.

On Tuesday the City Council will consider a request from Mayor Michael McGlynn to approve an $860,000 bond to cover the cost of the construction of the new field. However, the city has access to $500,000 to help pay for the field, thanks to a grant program from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs aimed at improving open space and recreational facilities in the state. Richard Sullivan, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said publicly at a press conference in October one of the reasons the city received a $500,000 grant is because the Hormel project is “shovel ready.”

According to Mayor McGlynn, the city will also use $50,000 from a billboard agreement and field rental fees to help pay down the bond.

“The main focus of this effort is to improve this outdoor facility which is used for major high school events, regional tournaments, youth league and other community activities. As you know, it also serves as a venue for informal neighborhood uses and multi generational recreational uses, particularly at the track that surrounds the field…The renovation of the Hormel Stadium Field from natural grass to synthetic turf will allow it stand up under the demands of varied and repetitive use,” wrote McGlynn in his request to the Council.

In addition to the turf field, the track will be repaired and painted, and a new scoreboard will be constructed at an angle that will be easier to read by spectators in the bleachers.

Hormel Stadium Commission Chair Jack Buckley said “construction mobilization” has begun on the turf project and the “heavy work” will likely begin in March or April. The entire project should be completed during the summer of 2012.

– InsideMedford.com