JEFFERSON TWP — Leading up to the first day of school, football players in the Knoch School District will continue practicing on off-site locations.

The athletic field has not been usable since the beginning of the summer, when both the stadium and the track that encircles it were closed in preparation for construction and renovation work on the track.

At a meeting Wednesday, Aug. 7, superintendent Dave Foley said the contractor, ATT Sports, was set to begin work in early July and complete the track-related project in late July. Foley said he anticipates the track to be finished on Aug. 19, before school starts.

“The athletic field is done,” said board president Donna Eakin. “It’s the area around it — the track, the curbs, the parking, the wheelchair access. All of that has been in construction, but the postponed part was the actual laying down of the new track.”

Until then, athletes have practiced on grass behind the stadium, Foley said after the meeting. The temporary location has posed a few difficulties, he said.

“We’ve had so much rain that those fields are saturated,” he said.

Eakin said the school board never received a “straight answer” on the cause for the delay.

As John Pappas, of Eckles Construction, presented renovation updates to school board members, he said that the contractor expressed that there had been difficulties with the shipment of the necessary materials.

Two community members shared concerns about football players not being able to use the field.

Ryan Sprankle, of Winfield Township, expressed his frustration with the contractor for the delay in working on the track, and the impact on student athletes’ ability to prepare for future football games.

“From a taxpayer’s perspective, from a player’s father’s perspective … they need this time on the field,” Sprankle said. “It’s very important.”

Foley said implementing a bridge or a way accessing the field without disturbing construction on the track would not be an option. With the track being painted, “everything will be covered in plastic” for several days, Pappas said. The blue paint could also pose a hazard and get on other material.

Foley said that district staff could look into additional off-site locations for football practices until the athletic field opens.

“We’re in crunchtime with the construction, and I know it’s leading up to the first match, and I know how important that is,” Foley said.

Due to the construction delay on the track, Foley also announced that the district’s annual Pie Night celebration would be canceled.