Jeannette considering adding artificial turf at McKee Stadium

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | 5:03 PM

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Jeannette football already is known for playing in the fast lane, but the program could soon merge into the 21st century and catch up to dozens of other WPIAL programs.

Jeannette is considering artificial turf and track improvements to venerable McKee Stadium.

Superintendent Matt Jones said the district is investigating “a variety of capital projects that will impact all of our students and long-range planning for the district.”

The turf and track are among those projects and there will be a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the high school cafeteria to lay out details.

“Funding sources have been identified and the district has applied for grants,” Jones said. “The administration will review recent capital projects going back to 2016 and highlight how approximately $2.5 million has been invested in district infrastructure, repairs and upgrades.”

Jones said a cost analysis has been done and a pair of turf companies have met with district officials.

Funding will be the most challenging aspect with the potential project. McKee Stadium has had a natural grass surface since it opened in 1937. The track has been resurfaced for decades.

Jones planned to meet with a number of “subgroups” such as Jeannette Business Association and Jeannette Soccer Club, about the perspective plans for the multi-use field.

“There are many items on the agenda as we look to improve the safety of our schools, and the infrastructure on the campuses,” Jones said.

Additional projects to be discussed, Jones said, involve school safety and security, upgrading of maintenance and technology equipment and access road improvements.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Jeannette