Jim Thorpe Area School District’s artificial turf field project faces unforeseen obstacles but some board members are still optimistic it can be completed in time for the Fall 2020 season.

“The field is still moving on,” said board member TJ Garritano.

The school board on Wednesday voted to delay the first installment for the project, and applying for permits for the project.

Even if they had voted to proceed, construction is currently on hold statewide. The industry is not exempt from the governor’s ban on non-life-sustaining business aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

Wednesday’s agenda included a $348,023 payment for the first installment of the field. It is estimated to cost $1.7 million in all.

The board voted to table the installment, and later voted against applying for the permits.

Board member Raneiro Marciante, who voted against applying for permits, said his support for the field was contingent on the district getting a corporate sponsor who would cover the cost.

“This entire project was contingent on corporate sponsorship and a package in place, and we have neither at this point,” he said.

Earlier this month, the board chose Lehigh Valley Health Network as corporate sponsor.

Lehigh Valley proposed a combination of money and sports medicine services in exchange for advertising rights at the stadium.

However an existing contract with St. Luke’s for sports medicine prevented the board from finalizing the deal.

Garritano said the board continues to negotiate with Lehigh Valley and it is also possible that it could sign a new contract with St. Luke’s instead.

There were also unexpected changes to the design of the project. Engineers did a percolation test, which then required the contractor, Keystone Sports Construction, to redesign the stormwater features.

Garritano said he believes the redesign should not significantly affect the final cost of the project.

Garritano said he would like to see the board meet again next week to select one of the two possible sponsors, and apply for the permits.

He said if that happens, the only thing preventing the field from opening for the fall season would be if the construction industry remains idle statewide.

“I think it’s very possible. We just have to see how the next week goes,” he said.