We finally received what we needed: a few weeks of hot, dry weather.  The infields on both baseball fields are tightening up as originally planned.  Esmark Field has been hosting some colt/pony games while the little league field should be ready to go starting next week.  Games being played on the fields will always be subject to the prevailing weather but we are past the stage of dealing with the flooding caused by the spring rains.  Construction is still active on the site.  It is very important for families to follow the directions of QVSB volunteers on where to park and sit during games.  The construction crew is adament about not having people wander the site.   For example, the area around the dugouts are off limits until they have been completed.  If the crew feels people are not adhering to these rules, they will shut down both fields until construction is complete.

We have been fortunate over the past two weeks.  The weather forecast has not materialized as originally forecast.  It has been relatively dry and hot during the day.  This weather has allowed us to work quickly on the following:

• Completed the grooming and seeding of all three retention ponds.  We have placed stone in key areas to handle rapid water flow when we receive torrential downpours.
• Applied additional drainage to Esmark Field infield.  The weather of the past week has helped to cure both infields on the site and they are hardening nicely.
• The dugouts and press box on Esmark field have been bricked, framed and roofed.  Finishing work on all three is continuing and should be finished next week.
• The warning track on Esmark Field has been largely completed and the outfield fence will start to go up next week.
• The foundations for the dugouts on the WPIAL Softball field have been poured and brick work began this week and is expected to be completed next week.
• The large mini-complex site has been rockhounded, graded and hydro seeded
• The other remaining fields and plateaus will be rockhounded, graded and seeded next week.
• Grooming the grass fields to insure the root structure of both fields grows as healthfully as possible and to prepare us for the dry summer months.  Although intuitively we would think all the water over the past 12 weeks would be helpful, the heavily saturated soil actually filled the pores within the soil and inhibited root growth.
• Manicuring of the perimeter of the site will begin next week.  We will be looking at lines of site along Camp Meeting Road to make sure there is as much visibility as possible into/out of the site entrance.

Over the next two weeks, we will start to see the foundation for the spectator seating at Esmark Field poured followed by the metal structure that will support the individual seats.   All in all, we are behind schedule by roughly 1 month due to the unfavorable weather February thru the 1st two weeks of May.  The Grand Opening is now tentatively set for the weekend after July 4th.  More details will be posted next week.