The state has given the go-ahead for a $2.5 million plan to renovate the Manasquan High School athletic fields called the "Warrior Complex," which was approved by the school board during the summer.
The plan includes using the elementary campus for baseball and replacing the football field. A retaining wall to improve drainage is also part of the plan, based on designs developed in a recent master plan.
The baseball field's relocation has not been decided.
The project includes an artificial turf football field, regulation-size track as well as lights and new bleachers.
The retaining wall will be placed at the edge of the wetlands bufffer to alleviate flooding. A nearby creek creates flooding issues on the fields and onto property on Willow Way.
Some residents have questioned the effectiveness of the retaining wall and the environmental impact.
Besides the artificial turf, the Warrior Complex project will create a regulation track for competitive running events. Manasquan is the only Monmouth County public school to not have a track that complies with competitive standards, school officials said.
The preparations for the football field and surrounding track were to begin after the bleacher and drainage phase.
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