By Ross Marrinson
rmarrinson@hgazette.com
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July 16 will be remembered as a starting point in the history of revamping the legendary Haverhill Stadium.
Friday is the last day for vendors to submit bids to substantially upgrade the stadium's natural grass field, which is susceptible to floods and mud, to a synthetic turf built for the long term.
"It's an unbelievable surface to play on," said Stadium Commission member Peter Shanahan. "We'll get true bounces, true spin, true speed."
The surface change is intended to decrease potential weather-related issues and extend the season for soccer, football and lacrosse, while also providing a multi-purpose facility that could attract cultural events and college athletics.
"As much as we can get in," Shanahan said. "We want to make the stadium the civic center of the city and community activities."
After the bids are submitted, the commission, which manages and operates the stadium, will meet on July 22 to discuss potential vendors and their offers, looking for the highest quality work at the lowest price.
It won't take long to break ground, either. The Stadium Commission is looking to put the shovels in the ground by the end of the month with the hope of completing the project in time for the Hillies' first home football game, Sept. 17, versus Catholic Memorial.
The Stadium Commission had originally asked the state for $6.5 million to help rebuild the facility, but had only received $1 million until February, when a $2 million state grant was given to the city for overall stadium improvements and repairs.
The first $1 million, which the state awarded in 2006, dealt with the overall infrastructure of the building, and helped build new ramps and handicapped-accessible seating. Other renovations since then — repainting the locker rooms, updated security and surveillance programs and new windows and doors for the locker rooms — were completed in piece-meal fashion and paid for through stadium advertising, which accounts for roughly $20,000 per year, Shanahan said.
The latest $2 million grant will pay for the surface reconstruction, as well as further grandstand seating repairs, according to Haverhill High School Athletic Director Garin Veris.
"We're just waiting (on the price)," Shanahan said. "If the field costs $1.2 million, the other $800,000 we'll use toward the stands, hopefully getting three or four of the sections complete of the six."
Additionally, due to the economic downturn, the price of astroturf has dropped substantially, making it potentially feasible to add turf to the baseball infield and outfield, if the price is right.
"We'd be able to play baseball from April 1 to November 1," Shanahan said. "Will the bids come in small enough to add to the baseball field? That's the question."
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