This summer, construction crews, instead of sports teams, are tearing up the turf at Sprague Field.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is improving playing fields 2 and 3 which are used throughout the year by multiple school and recreation sports teams.
For the project, DPW is working with a contractor to remove and replace the synthetic turf, upgrade the pad beneath the turf, reinstall and replace the Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and sand infill that helps with traction and keeps the synthetic grass upright, and repaint the field markings.
Pictures of this process and regular updates are on the DPW website. Many of the project materials will be reused or recycled.
The original turf was installed in 2008 and has outlived the expected 8- to 10-year lifespan. The $1.2 million reconstruction plan was approved by Town Meeting members in April 2019.
The project is about one-third of the way done and should be fully completed in August.