Lavallette Awards Contract for Chandler Field Improvements

Chandler Field, Lavallette, N.J. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Lavallette officials on Monday night awarded a contract for the first phase of improvements at Chandler Field, in cooperation with the Board of Education.

The year-long effort to plan and design the upgrades comes after Lavallette was awarded a state grant for about $60,000, which would not have covered the estimated $327,000 project. Instead, officials have decided to break the project into two phases, the first of which will cost $69,500. The contract was awarded to T.C. Landscaping, which submitted the lowest qualifying bid.

“We sized down the project and we decided that we would divide it into two phases,” said Councilwoman Joanne Filippone. “We’re doing phase one right now, which is to do a repair of the infield and the mound, and there is some work on the dugout.”

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The project, designed by Van Cleef Engineering, calls for removing and replacing the infield dirt and clay mix to prevent any ponding of water after rain events, installing covers over new dugouts and constructing fenced-in areas where hitters can practice their swings.

Chandler Field, Lavallette, N.J. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Chandler Field, Lavallette, N.J. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Officials had also weighed the construction of a dog run at the park and the re-seeding of the outfield, which will likely make up a portion of the project’s second phase.

“The school has agreed to kick in some extra money and so have we,” said Filippone, adding that the low bid was below what was expected.

As for timing, players will be able to “play ball” very shortly.

“I think it’s a go ASAP, so if they start right away, it should be done for Memorial Day,” said Filippone.