Chardon Memorial Field on track for game this week

Officials to have walk-through, expect approval to play on new turf

After weeks of turmoil surrounding the botched installation of field turf at Memorial Field, the Chardon football team is on schedule to host Youngstown Ursuline on Sept. 3.

Athletic Director Doug Snyder informed The News-Herald on Sept. 1 that the project is scheduled to be completed so the Hilltoppers can host the Irish in a much-anticipated non-conference game. The opening is two weeks ahead of what officials originally planned when the turf project was re-started in early August.

“We have a 1 p.m. walkthrough on Thursday with the field turf representatives,” Snyder said. “We’re anticipating getting the (go-ahead) to play on it.”

The project of replacing the artificial turf with new field turf was originally planned to be finished prior to the start of the fall season on Aug. 1. But in a July 16 letter to parents, superintendent Michael Hanlon explained there was a problem with that goal.

“The field turf replacement project has experienced some problems that are having a pronounced impact on the project schedule,” Hanlon wrote.

“Field turf removal in June was on schedule. In mid-June, trucks delivering material to the field caused damage to the subbase which is critical to a safe and suitable playing surface.”

The process resumed in early August. In the meantime, Snyder and the athletic department rescheduled games in multiple sports to be played at other venues until the field turf project was completed. That list included the Chardon football team’s season and “home” opener against Glenville on Aug. 20, a game played at Riverside Stadium.

Chardon next two home games — Sept. 3 vs. Youngstown Ursuline and Sept. 10 vs. Riverside — were scheduled to be played at West Geauga’s Howell Field. But with the news of the field turf project being near completion, those plans are nixed.

Chardon will be on their real home field this weekend.

“The goal all along was to get the field completed as soon as possible so the teams can get back on the field here,” Snyder said. “The worst-case scenario had us at the end of the month. We worked all along to avoid the worstcase scenario. That we’re within 48 hours of hosting a game at our stadium is awesome news. We’re thrilled.”

The new field turf has a different look to it, alternating lighter-shade green with darer-shade green every five yards. It’s also an upgrade over the previous artificial turf.

Snyder said the project was funded both by permanent improvement monies as well as money allocated by the board of education over the years for stadium upgrades.

“It’s the same turf they have at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon,” Snyder said. “We also have a new scoreboard we’ll be unveiling. We’re excited to open the door and get the Hilltoppers and their fans back where they belong.”

Snyder praised area schools and administrations for stepping up to help Chardon while their field was under construction. Riverside and West Geauga agreed to let the football team play home games at their stadiums, and multiple sports traveled for “home” games at Euclid, NDCL and SPIRE Institute in Harpersfield.

“We’ll forever be indebted to them all,” Snyder said.

Coach Mitch Hewitt agreed with his praise. He pointed out youth football games were played at Berkshire and the junior high had a “home” game at Mayfield on Sept. 1.

“It’s been really cool to see all the support we got from local schools,” he said.

The news that the Hilltoppers will get to play an actual home game on Sept. 3, not a home game at an away site, made Hewitt smile.

“I’m excited for the kids,” he said. “You only get so many trips down the hill (from the school to the field) as a senior. I’m glad it’s come to a conclusion. I’m sure the administration feels the same, especially Doug Snyder. You add up all the games he rescheduled in the last month and it’s a lot.

“It’s going to be fun to be back home on Friday.”