Perkiomen School is ready to install a new turf athletic field. On Tuesday, Head of School Mark Devey told Pennsburg's Planning Commission that a contractor is ready to start the work as soon as the borough approves it.

            "Contractors are lined up ready to move dirt," said to Jason A. Ulrich, an Allentown lawyer representing the school.

            An Allentown lawyer told the members that school officials hoped to have the new field, located next to Kriebel Hall on Seminary Street, ready for the upcoming fall season. Solicitor Mark Hosterman suggested that the school target the spring for completion of the new field.

            For nearly two hours, the lawyer and an engineer addressed the commission regarding the school's proposed new outdoor athletic facilities. Perkiomen School seeks preliminary/final approval from council, according to Ulrich, a partner with Gross McGinley, LLP.

            Ulrich told the commission that the school is willing to "post any type of security to make the borough comfortable with the project." Devey, sitting in the audience, nodded in agreement when Urich pointed at him.  "We would eat that without question," the lawyer said. "The school would be willing to accept that risk to move forward."

            After the meeting, Devey declined to answer any questions regarding the project.

According to the school's website, it includes the implementation of an all-weather track and turf field, three additional turf fields, a softball/baseball infield practice space, spectator seating, as well as support buildings for storage, restrooms and team areas.

            It states that the track & field facility will include a running track and straight-away as well as pole vault, high jump, discus, shot put and javelin areas. The school is also investing in pickleball courts and the restoration of the tennis courts.

            According to Ulrich, school administrators were hoping the turf field and track prior to the start of the 2026-27 school year. Hosterman described that goal as unattainable, since school starts next month and council doesn't meet until again until Aug. 11. The solicitor suggested the next spring as a viable goal.

            "That way, you'll be in less of a rush," Hosterman said.

            According to Devey, the school hoped to complete installation of the new field to benefit the lacrosse programs that compete in the spring. He told the commission that Perkiomen School was prepared to have its athletic teams play most road games during the construction.

            The applicant provided the municipality with a partially engineered plan. The commission recommended that the school upgrade its proposed upgrades to Seminary Street, a state-owned road.

            Urich told the members that the decision to submit a conceptual plan for sidewalks, crosswalks and curbing was made because the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would dictate all changes to the street. Member Charles Shagg told the applicants that fully engineering the proposal would allow council to have full confidence in it.

            The process to install the new fields could commence as soon as council approves it, according to Hosterman. Upgrades to Seminary Street could take longer. The state agency may take 18 months to comment on proposed curbing and sidewalks, according to engineer Zach Ranstead.