Jim Thorpe Area School Board will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the Jim Thorpe High School Auditorium.

According to the agenda, the board will vote on whether or not to proceed with a new turf installation project at the Jim Thorpe High School.

The board last week announced the current price tag for a synthetic turf field stands at $1.7 million, but two local health care providers are jockeying for a sponsorship opportunity that could significantly trim what the district would have to put toward the project.

“The goal is to start the project after graduation and have it ready for the fall sports season,” said TJ Garritano, Jim Thorpe board member and athletic committee chairman.

Garritano said the natural grass field, which has major drainage issues, has been replaced several times.

After seeking corporate sponsors, he currently has the area’s two major health care providers, Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network, pitted against each other for that right.

Lehigh Valley has proposed putting $500,000 toward the cost of the field, paid out over 12 years, and $320,000 toward athletic services such as performance coaches and nutrition specialists to work with students.

The public will have the opportunity to ask questions tonight.

The Times News is planning to stream the meeting on its Facebook page.