Fraser Field to Get New Infield Turf: $300,000 Project to Be Completed Before Winter

According to John Kasian of the Lynn Community Development office, the city is currently seeking bids for a new artificial turf infield at Fraser Field, which will replace the 10-year old artificial infield that was installed in 2002 and include new artificial turf base paths as well.

The estimated cost of the project is $300,000, which will be paid partly through the $4 million bond bill the city approved this past spring and partly through lease agreements with Fisher College and the Lynn Navigators minor league baseball team. Approximately $100,000 of the cost will be paid by the lease agreements, with the rest to be paid out of the bond bill.

The proposal to replace the turf and include the base paths means that the only dirt on the field will be on the pitcher’s mound, dramatically reducing the maintenance associated with preparing the fields for play in the early spring when unpredictable weather makes field maintenance and preparation the most difficult.

There is no plan to install artificial turf in the outfield, because the price would be too high. However, Kasian noted that drainage issues at the field were addressed last year, so there are no expectations for early spring flooding associated with snow melt and heavy rain.

Kasian said the city will likely choose the winning bidder in late September, with installation to begin in early or mid-October.

“We want to get the field in before the weather gets cold,” said Kasian. “We really need it to be done before the snow starts, because the first game is March 22 and we want to be sure the field is ready.”

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