Highlighted by a change from a natural grass to artificial turf playing surface, Lehighton Area School District approved construction of a $6.3 million multi-purpose athletic stadium Tuesday night.

The 5-4 vote awarded the general construction contract to CMG of Easton for $5.229 million, electrical construction contract to Pagoda Electrical Inc., of Reading, for $582,748, and mechanical contract to Master Mechanical, of McAdoo, for $452,548.

Additional general construction items approved Tuesday include track resurfacing for $200, end zone lettering spelling out "Lehighton" and "Indians" for $17,000, and a stairwell providing an additional entrance to the stadium at the southwest corner of the property for $45,000. Most of the track resurfacing had already been figured into the main contract by CMG, resulting in the low bid.

Using A-Turf, a field turf manufacturer out of Lancaster, will reduce the cost of the project by $22,500.

The final project cost, when you factor in soft costs and a three percent contingency for change orders, will likely rise over $6.5 million.

See the complete story in Wednesday's edition of the Times News.