FieldTurf At Route 66 Joliet Stadium Nearly Done

JOLIET, IL - Last week, The Joliet Herald-News print newspaper was sounding the alarm, publishing a story suggesting the Joliet Slammers May 15 opening day was in jeopardy. The newspaper reported there were drainage problems inside the minor league baseball stadium and the city's plans to install the FieldTurf may not materialize in time for opening day. The city of Joliet, in turn, issued a lengthy press release to set the record straight. "The field turf installation project for Route 66 Stadium is on schedule to be completed prior to the JolietSlammers home opening day on Tuesday, May 15, 2018," the city press release stated.

On Wednesday morning, Joliet Patch visited the downtown sports facility for the Joliet Slammers to capture photos of this week's progress.

As you can see, the landscaping crews have made significant strides laying the FieldTurf. While Joliet Patch was inside the stadium, a number of workers were on site and so were some people who apparently work in concessions and other venues. Patch overheard one young man walking through the right field stands remark, "Holy smokes. This is impressive! This is the greenest grass in Joliet!"

To read last week's Herald-News article go here.

To read Patch's coverage explaining how the project was on schedule, go here.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor