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Pocono News Section
Crews Tear Up PNC Field
Crews Tear Up PNC Field - Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 4:40PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 @ 04:40pm EDT
MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- The Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Yankees may be done for the season, but the work at PNC Field is not. Work started Tuesday morning to correct a drainage problem at the ballpark.
There's already sizeable progress. By mid-morning contractors already had a good chunk of the outfield torn up. Officials hope to have the project done by late October and they know itÕs a race against the weather.
For the second time in four years the turf is now being torn up at PNC Field. Contractors are working to correct a drainage dilemma that caused seven games to be postponed or moved this past season.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien said, ÒThey have about 5 or 6 weeks and I am confident they will get the job done. They're gonna work 24-7 to assure that we do get it done."
The work to replace the drainage system and the grass surface is expected to cost just over one million dollars.
Commissioner Mike Washo said, ÒWe don't like spending money to put in a new field, when a new field was put in just four years ago, but the face of the matter is, we're on notice from the National League, we'll lose our franchise if we don't repair or replace the field."
Commissioner Mike Washo says that franchise is too costly too lose. ÒIf that franchise is worth 20 million dollars, we couldn't afford to lose that for the sake of not putting in a new field," he said.
The president of the Scranton/WB Yankees, Kristen Rose, is away on business until Thursday. When she comes back, she's expected to get at updated timeline on the project.
While a majority of current field is being torn up, some portions are being salvaged.
Officials also hope Mother Nature will be a little more forgiving and hold off on bitter cold and snow. ÒWe're hopeful the weather will hold up here for us, over the fall, so we can get the drainage and field installed as soon as possible," said OÕBrien.
Officials hope to have all of the field renovations finished by October 24th, but admit that's a tight timeline. | | |
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