A third lighted softball field with additional parking to be added.
By: Melissa Hayes
MONROE Big Daddy Construction was awarded a contract Monday to build a third township softball field on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road.
There currently are two lighted softball fields on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road near the public works building, and a third will be added on an undeveloped portion of the property, said Ernie Feist, township engineer.
Getting the improvements under way has been a long process because bids came in higher than expected, Wayne Hamilton, the township’s business administrator said.
"We had to amend the ordinance to award for more additional dollars," Mr. Hamilton said.
Big Daddy Construction was awarded the contract in the amount of $314,410. The township had anticipated a $250,000 price tag.
"Initially we didn’t think we would be spending quite that much money," Mr. Feist said.
"We went to bid twice on it and the numbers weren’t getting any smaller," he said. "There’s apparently a large demand for contractors in the area and they control the pricing."
The improvements include adding a third lighted field with dugouts and additional parking.
"Lighting is a large cost," Mr. Feist said.
Mr. Feist said a fence will be installed around the new field.
He said there is not a lot of work that needs to be done to the property in order to add the field.
"It’s pretty flat so there’s not a lot of grading that’s going to be involved," Mr. Feist said.
The project is scheduled to start in the spring, most likely in April, and could be completed by July, Mr. Feist said.

