New artificial turf field at Burrell's Buccaneer Stadium nearly ready for action

The new artificial turf field at Burrell School District’s Buccaneer Stadium is expected to be ready for game action next week, and sports could return to the stadium with a soccer tripleheader on Oct. 1.

“The field is beautiful and a great surface for all sports,” said Burrell Athletic Director Drake D’Angelo.

The $1.8 million renovation included installation of the artificial turf and a much-needed new drainage system, renovations to the track and other improvements. On Wednesday, workers were stitching in the white yard markers and sideline boundaries and the “double B” Burrell Bucs logo at mid-field.

“All of our student groups and community groups will benefit for many years to come thanks to the durability of the new surfaces (field and track) as well as now-resolved issues with drainage and the old design,” said Burrell School Board President Tricia Shank.

The project had been put on hold for two months. Contractors couldn’t secure all of the necessary permits when some government offices closed because of the covid-19 pandemic, and some redesign work was necessary for the track, D’Angelo said.

Burrell had to change up the locations of several sporting events, but is now looking forward to a two-week window in the first half of October when a number of teams will use the field. Then, after that, contractors will go back to work to renovate the running track that rings the field.

Also is the works is construction of a retaining wall to shore up the hillside where new concrete stairs were installed to replace the steep ramp for one of the stadium’s public entrances.

The project is expected to be completed around Oct. 23, D’Angelo said.