Some residents’ dream for a premier high school football facility at the Surf Club has gotten closer to reality. After years of fundraising and construction, the final stages of the Strong Center Project are now underway. Construction of the entrance plaza is now ongoing and bids for the field houses are due next week as community members work to finish the project before the end of the calendar year.

The project consists of two phases. Phase I of the project included the replacement of the former grass football field with an artificial turf field and installation of the scoreboard, flagpoles, lighting, and bleachers with seating for 2,000. Phase II of the project includes a planned plaza and two field houses.

The project is designed to serve as a football field for high school and potentially college games, as well as soccer, lacrosse, and softball. It is also envisioned as a performance arts facility for music, theater, and dance.

Donations for the project began rolling in more than eight years ago and now nearly $3.1 million has been raised for construction. Significant funds came from the Harold Strong Endowment, private donations, and state money in the form of a STEAP grant.

Duo Dickinson, a Strong Center Project Board member and the architect for the project, said he is pleased to see the project moving along. Bids for the two field houses are expected next week and Dickinson said the houses will have many features—”Bathrooms, space for concessions, storage, team rooms, walls for Boys/Girls Halls of Fame,” he said.

Once the bids are in, Dickinson said that will determine the final timeline for the project.

“We are hopeful of a December finish, but that will only be determined in bidding,” he said.

The field houses and the entrance plaza are the last two elements of the whole project. The entrance plaza will include a gate, three stone pillars for gold, silver, and bronze sponsor plaques, and 325 engraved granite plaza stones. Additionally the site will include several park benches, a Champions Walk from the home field house to the field, and a memorial garden.

While the project is wrapping up, Dickinson said they are still looking for donations to cover a few additional costs.

“Certain enhancements will need funding, including video screens and some appointments on the buildings,” he said.

To learn more about the project or how to donate, visit www.strongcentersurfclub.org.