Sports complex construction on schedule

But Vance Varner can visualize the Mifflin County Huskies taking to the fields for the first time as construction continues for the $18.5 million project.

“It is exciting to drive past the construction sites for the Multi-Sports Stadium Project and see the progress continue week after week,” said Varner, the Mifflin County School District superintendent of schools.

“I am optimistic about what this project will mean to all current and future students in the district, Mifflin County residents and local industry and business.”

What Varner alluded to are state-of-the-art facilities that student-athletes can be proud to compete on, replacing outdated and dilapidated stadiums like venerable Mitchell Field. Husky athletes will also have the benefit of new fieldhouses and turf surfaces that many of the opponents have.

“The sitework is going well,” said Thomas White Jr., director of buildings and grounds for the district. “Utility work should be completed in the next few weeks.” White said that work includes storm water, sewer and water.

With deadlines in place for grant funding, it is imperative that construction work for the project remain on schedule, which White said is the case for the most part.

“The field work and site work are on schedule,” he explained. “The fieldhouses are running a few weeks behind due to early rainfall.”

Over the next 30 days, the complex should start to take shape as work on the building begins.

“Fieldhouse A (located in front of the high school at the main stadium) will rise above ground level in the next few weeks and Fieldhouse B (at the secondary field) will be started,” White added. “Bleacher construction and sports lighting is to get started in mid-July.”

The project remains also on budget.