Kirtland’s Wilson Stadium is on schedule for Aug. 29 opening, but could be earlier

The dry weather conditions in Northeast Ohio have been hard on area lawns and gardens.

But in terms of the construction of Wilson Stadium — Kirtland's new athletic field — it's been a blessing.

According to school superintendent Chad VanArnhem, construction of the artificial turf field is well underway to the point that the Aug. 22 home soccer game against West Geauga is the attainable target date. And a big reason for the optimism is the recent stretch of dry weather without any rain delays.

"We are full steam ahead right now," VanArnhem said at the recent Chagrin Valley Conference Appreciation Luncheon. "There were 410 trucks of dirt that came to bring the field up to the correct height. The drainage is going in now and we’re working on tying the electrical back in. They are working at an accelerated pace that includes 10-hour days."

"The completion date is currently Aug 29th, but Aug. 22 is the first scheduled soccer game. That's the goal."

The Kirtland football team plays its first home game Friday, Aug. 25 against Lutheran West.

VanArnhem said the project came to a halt earlier this spring when a change order was unexpectedly assessed.

"We had a slight delay when we were handed a change order," VanArnhem said. "There was a concern with the cost and design of the drainage system and an issue with the road that will go around the visitor's stand. It was too sharp of a turn for the buses."

"The board of education approved the redesigned scope of the work, and it's full steam ahead now."

Thanks to Mother Nature relenting. VanArnhem said the delay in work happened when rains were pelting the area earlier this spring. It's been dry ever since, which has allowed work crews to catch up.

VanArnhem said the project will install a state-of-the-art artificial turf, a new track surface, new LED lights and a digital scoreboard. They will replace the former grass surface and modest scoreboard at the former Rogers Field. The home bleachers and press box will remain the same.

The project was made possible by a permanent improvement levy, which was the renewal of a five-year 1.1-mill permanent improvement levy with an additional 0.95-mill increase for the continued upkeep of school facilities. A science lab was also part of the levy's construction plans. Students have benefited from the use of the state-of-art science lab starting in January 2023.

The naming rights of the stadium, purchased by Kirtland alum John Wilson of Aqua Doc, were also sold at the price tag of $200,000 over a 10-year span to help pay for the project, including an upgrade to the type of turf that has a longer warranty and is deemed one of the safest on the market. Also, the district has sponsors lined up to cover the cost of the digital scoreboard upgrade while also generating revenue for future costs.

"Part of the challenge isn't just putting turf down," Van Arnhem said. "We wanted the field wide enough to play soccer, too. The football field is 52 yards wide. The turf field we are putting in is closer to 69 yards wide. The visiting stands were inside the track. We had to move those outside the track. There is a road there, so the road has to be rerouted through part of the bus compound."

As fast as the project is going, VanArnhem said certain parts of it — such as curing rates for the all-weather track and the concrete base of the visiting stands — are things that can't be rushed.

"The weather has been perfect," VanArnhem said. "I think Mother Nature has been on our side."

Each day VanArnhem looks at the progress, his smile grows bigger. Come August, those who visit Wilson Stadium will share that reaction when the new stadium is unveiled for play.

"I’m so excited for our kids," VanArnhem said. "I see how hard they work. They deserve this. When our soccer and football teams go to nearby schools to practice for the playoffs or have to play our home playoff games on the road because of our poor field conditions, it's a little embarrassing. The opportunity for our kids and community to have this facility is what I am excited about."

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