WORK IN PROGRESS — Work is progressing on the new softball field at Indian Creek High School’s campus in Wintersville. Officials said weather permitting, the field and other projects should be ready this spring. - Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Work is progressing with the new softball field at Indian Creek High School and hopes are to have it ready for play this spring.

District Assistant Superintendent John Belt said Vasco of Massillon was constructing the site, which is adjacent to Kettlewell Memorial Stadium on the Wintersville campus. J.T. Sauer and Associates Sports Architecture and Design in Canonsburg, Pa., is serving as the sports field architect and Belt said both companies were involved in creating Indian Creek’s football field four years ago.

Financing for the current project is through the district’s permanent improvement fund.

“Right now, they are putting in finger drains and a stone base,” Belt said. “If we continue to have favorable weather, we may have the carpet down by December. The project’s finalization date is the end of March. It’s always weather-dependent and we still have to do the concrete work and asphalt.”

The site will include a field turf similar to the football stadium and it will mark the first time the softball team has been on campus. The team had played at the Bantam Ridge Road facility but relocated to the Mingo Junction site operated by the Indian Creek Youth Baseball Softball League three years ago. Belt added that more work is coming down the pike with blacktopping set at the exit near the new field. That work will extend from the top of the hill near the high school past the transportation garage, and he expects some slight traffic alterations at that time.

“The exit road will be done in the spring after the softball field construction is finished. We don’t want to blacktop that part of Park Drive with the heavy construction equipment still onsite. It will take several days depending on the weather, and we may narrow the traffic to one lane during the process.”

Meanwhile, the former music building at ICHS has been revamped into the Indian Creek Student Athletic Center and received its final certification for occupancy. The site underwent upgrades and includes a wrestling room and weight room, plus weightlifting equipment was acquired through a $50,000

grant from the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation and a generous gift from the Hammack family. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be set to formally open the building.

Belt said other projects are also on target with turf being added to the outdoor learning areas at Cross Creek Elementary and then proceeding to the playground at Hills Elementary, while the outdoor learning building at Indian Creek Middle School will receive roofing.

“Everything should be finished in the spring and we’re waiting for new learning and playground equipment at the two elementary schools.”

He said the new learn-by-play equipment will follow the schools’ water cycle theme. The Hammack family also contributed to the project and a dedication ceremony is being eyed in the near future.