Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Representatives of Betts Industries and the Betts Foundation present a check for $100,000 to the Warren Sports Boosters toward the groups War Memorial Field Capital Campaign Wednesday at the field. Pictured, from left, are Andy Hanks, Michelle Betts, Erik Pearson, Aaren Danielson, Michael Boyd, Elizabeth Dustin, Darren Moore, Todd Betts, and Scott Curren.

The effort to renovate War Memorial Field took another big step toward full funding.

The Betts Foundation has contributed $100,000 to the project — bringing the total to $800,000.

The goal is $1 million and members of the Warren Sports Boosters hope that rising costs will not cause too many problems.

“The Betts Foundation believe in supporting the youth of our community, not just in Warren, but throughout all of Warren County,” Michelle Betts said. “This is one way to support the youth.”

The facility hosts Warren Area High School sports — football, soccer, and track and field, but all of those programs have cooperative agreements with other Warren County School District schools.

“The Betts Foundation is very generous in their support for War Memorial Field,” Scott Curren said. “Betts recognizes this is a community asset that the Warren community can benefit from over decades.”

The primary work of the renovation is to replace the turf on the field and the surface of the track.

“We look to begin construction on the track and turf in June,” Curren said. “As soon as graduation is over, we’re going to have crews in here.”

The track will get some attention first.

“The first step is to mill up the track,” Andy Hanks said.

After the old material is out, the entire surface will be repaved. The curing process takes 28 days, Hanks said.

“This that’s happening, they’ll put in the turf,” he said.

The final step is putting the final coat on the track surface and painting lines and numbers.

“The target completion date is early August… weather permitting,” Hanks said.

The boosters thanked representatives of the Betts Foundation for their contribution to the effort and put out an additional call.

“We’re in the home stretch,” Michael Boyd said.

“We’re still looking for donations,” Hanks said. “It’s been a challenge with ongoing pandemic and supply chain issues that have added to the project.”