Up against the clock
North Salem's field turf project in full swing

August 13, 2010

A wet June put the work behind schedule, but North Salem High School officials are still hoping to have their million dollar field turf project completed in time for the Vikings' first home football game in September.

Actual installation of the synthetic surface began this week. Crews laid down ten yard segments of the carpet at a time, which are stick together and pulled tight. Additional detail work around the edge of the field continued with Viking football players putting in several hours of shoveling and leveling.

North Salem athletic director Adam Watkins has been guardedly optimistic that the field would be ready in time for the football team's September 10 home opener against Sam Barlow High School of Gresham.

When completed, the field will be used not only for football, but soccer, marching band, and other school activities. PE classes will also utilize the facility as will community groups such as the Boys and Girls Club.

More than 120 individual donors contributed money to the effort, and there were also sizeable donations of materials and labor provided from suppliers and contractors.

Bottom line cost for the project was 1.4 million dollars.

Viking athletic boosters are still working on fund raising efforts for the second stage of construction at the adjoining softball fields. Price tag for that phase is estimated at 1.7 million dollars.