Jim Thorpe Area School District is moving forward with an artificial turf field.

Now the district is inviting the public to weigh in on the turf’s color.

“If the public wants to express their desire for the color, it’s more of a community event,” said TJ Garritano, chairman of the school board’s athletics, fields and concessions committee.

A survey posted on the district website includes renderings of a green field and a red field, and asks the public to state their preference for one of the other.

A green field is less expensive. The cost difference between green and red is about 20 to 25 cents per square foot.

The survey also allows participants to note if they are a current student, an alumnus, or a resident of the district.

Superintendent John Rushefski said he created the survey to let people weigh in on the field. The plan is to host not only varsity sporting events, but events for elementary students, alumni and even senior citizens.

“We’re going to look for ways to get everyone in the district on that field,” he said.

The survey will remain up until Monday. The board has a special meeting that night where they plan to vote on the color of the field. They also plan to officially name the corporate sponsor for the facility.

Rushefski said the ultimate decision on the field color will be made by the board. But when they make that decision, the survey results will give them some idea of what students and the public would like to see.

“It’s getting a good vibe out there, people are weighing in in their own way,” he said.

Keystone Sports Construction is tentatively scheduled to start the $1.74 million project in June. According to Garritano, installation will take 50 days at seven days per week. The plan is for the field to be ready for the opening of the fall season, which is a home football game with Blue Mountain on Aug. 28.

The district is seeking sponsors to offset some of the cost.

Board members also said they were pleasantly surprised by a digital billboard which appeared on Route 209 following the vote to approve the new field. Garritano said he does not know who purchased the digital ad.

Monday’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the district offices.