When opportunity knocked recently on the door of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, they were more than happy to open it. And what they found knocking was about 75 truckloads of the best top soil they could possibly hope to get.

 

Of course, the question was did they need it? The answer was one they already knew – yes.

 

As it turned out, a contractor looking to do the laser grading work that was recently being bid and advertised for ball fields in the city – including the Bridgeport Recreation Complex – noticed land at the new facility that was yet to be developed. The contractor, Plain Surface Solutions of Sagertown, Pa., inquired about the future use of the land and then everything began to fall into place.

 

“The contractor realized that we wanted to develop the top field in the area beyond the existing multi-use field and told us about a job he was doing at West Virginia University,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth. “They’re involved with the replacement of the outdoor practice facility with turf and part of their job is to get rid of the material.”

 

The job is a $1.8 million effort being handled by the WVU athletic department that will give the Mountaineers an artificial outdoor, full size facility. And by replacing it, they have to remove all of the old top soil.

 

“We were asked if we wanted the top soil. To be honest, it’s about as good as you could possibly get because it’s a fantastic soil and sand mixture that was already being used for the purposes that we plan on using it for,” said Shuttleworth.

 

“In the end, we didn’t have to pay a dime for the top soil. The only cost we have in this is that we had involving contracting with a trucking company to haul it, which is a cost we would have had regardless,” said Shuttleworth. “This way, we’re not only getting the soil for free, but we’re also getting probably about as quality top soil as you could possibly get.”

 

The area in question is beyond the existing multi-use field as well as the new concession stand that was put in place. The dirt will eventually be dozed and graded for a second, much smaller, multi-purpose youth field.

 

“It will be good for things like soccer that there’s always a demand for,” said Shuttleworth.

 

The good news is that funds were already available for the hauling of the material that has taken place for the last few days. Shuttleworth said the P&R Department had been sitting on funds for the development of that property for fields until it was determined if the same land would be needed for a potential indoor recreation complex. With the city acquiring additional acreage near the top part and entrance to the facility, that land is available.

 

“Once all the dirt is down, and that could be by (today), it will allow is in short order to beging the planning process,” said Shuttleworth.