While construction is ahead of schedule on the $12 million first phase of the sportsplex west of the Tombigbee River, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved additional soil testing to determine the viability of some of the site’s soil, specifically that under the infields.
The tests will collect soil borings from the infield area of each of the eight planned baseball/softball fields at the complex at a cost of about $8,300.
Joey Henderson of JBHM Architecture said the soil, which is clay, is potentially either too soft, expansive or moisture retaining, and requested more testing to get an idea of just what the contractors are dealing with before laying the turf, potentially creating bigger problems down the line.
“If you go out there and just visually look at the material, I believe it’s unsuitable,” Henderson said. “We need to verify what it is we have under that turf and that’s why we’re suggesting we do additional soil borings.”
He said there are additional materials such as fabric and drainage that go under the turf on the infield, so it is key to make sure that the foundation is solid.
Based upon the findings of the tests, contractors will have a better idea of how to proceed with construction.
“We just need to determine what’s there and I feel certain it’s going to come back with a recommendation to either submit treatment, lime treat it or maybe pull some more out. We just don’t know to what extent yet,” Henderson said.
District 2 Supervisor and board president Trip Hairston said the board wants to make sure the construction is done right the first time around and will last.
“They need to know what they’re dealing with,” Hairston said. “They are going to go in there and do extra soil borings to analyze that dirt and make sure whatever they do in there is going to set it up for a long time period.”
West Brothers Construction began the $12 million first phase — which includes the eight fields, a playground, an entry gate, picnic tables and other furnishings — last spring. The complex is slated to open in August or September.
Henderson said work was ahead of schedule before the recent rain set in, so he predicts that the timeline will stay intact.
“We are really excited seeing that being built and actually meeting the timeline,” Hairston said. “So, by the end of the summer, we should see that thing open.”
The board is working to secure federal funding through the Department of Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant to partially fund the proposed $14 million second phase of the project, which includes a multipurpose building and storm shelter.
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