East McKeesporters and others gathered on Saturday to celebrate the rededication of East Field.
“East Field is used for T-ball, softball, pony league and soccer,” borough administrator-secretary Connie Rosenbayger said. “East Field is used seven days a week, from the end of March until the end of September.”
And not just by East McKeesport residents. The East Allegheny Athletic Association's soccer program draws participants from White Oak, North Versailles Township, Wall, Wilmerding and McKeesport.
“It has never looked better,” EASoccer boosters posted on Facebook in March. “We have all new chain link fencing, the walls and the drainage problems have been fixed, a handicap accessible walkway has been installed as well as a bigger concrete pad in front of concessions.”
East Field was renovated with the help of $100,000 from the gaming-fueled Allegheny County Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund.
“East McKeesport council felt this was a good project,” Rosenbayger said. “They want to provide a safe environment where the kids can play.”
At Saturday's sign unveiling, there were refreshments and appearances by public officials representing the borough and East Allegheny School District.
East Allegheny donated the field to the borough — and, in a way, returned it to its original owner.
“Originally, East McKeesport had its own school district, and that was the field that went with the school,” Rosenbayger said. “As the school districts merged, all that property went with it.”
Rosenbayger wrote the grant application. Glenn Engineering wrote the specs for work that was put out for bids last summer. Borough public works director Joseph Clemenic Jr. planned the renovation, which was carried out by Allegheny Fence and Swede Construction.
The gate was widened to make access easier for emergency vehicles. The field is used as a landing space for medical helicopters.
Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or pcloonan@tribweb.com.
