New turf for Pioneer field expected by September

NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City Public Schools expect to have new turf in place at Pioneer Field by September this fall.

The Wirth Foundation, which donated $450,000 for the school’s “turf & dirt initiative,” had hoped the project could be completed by the start of the school year.

A school press release says the school received two bids for the new turf and neither company could complete the project in that timeline.

Superintendent Mark Fritch said the companies told him the completion date over the summer would not have been an issue in any other year.

Fritch: “Continued supply chain issues and labor shortages are making it difficult to schedule.”

Because completion is not expected until after the start of the football season, Lourdes Central Catholic’s Sept. 2 game will be played at the Oak Bowl on the Peru State College campus. Lourdes will host a home game on the new turf Sept. 23.

Nebraska City Public schools is working on options for marching band and high school football practice fields. All middle school and junior varsity games will be played on opponent school’s fields during the closure.

Nebraska City High School varsity football scheduled changes:

• Aug. 26 home opener at Peru State
• Sept. 2 Omaha Roncalli game at Omaha
• Sept. 16 Nebraska City will play at home on new turf

The school also reports $70,000 raised in banner purchases.