Stonington - When high school sports teams return for fall practice next Monday they will be greeted by the sight of the completed artificial turf football field.

The field, which voters approved as part of a $2.7 million renovation of the high school athletic fields, is expected to be finished this week. In addition to meeting the town's goal of being ready for the fall sports season, the work is $150,000 under budget.

Director of Public Works Joe Bragaw said that money, which was the contingency fund for any unexpected expenses, will be used to help renovate the softball, boys soccer and field hockey fields. That work is slated to begin at the end of this month and be completed late this fall so the fields can be ready for use next spring.

The flood-prone softball field, which needs the most work, will be raised 2 feet and there will be step-down, handicapped-accessible dugouts. New fencing and backstops will be added.

Next spring, drainage work will begin on the multipurpose field, which is home for girls soccer.

Last week, the lines for the various sports were painted on the field and then the infill, which consists of rubber and sand pellets, was put down between the blades of grass.

In addition, 15-foot screens behind the end zones are being installed. They will keep balls from leaving the field and allow one team to warm up while another is having practice.

The field features alternating panels of light and dark green turf and has a large "S" at the 50-yard line. Also this summer, the track was resurfaced, making Donald Palmer Field almost a new facility.

"The project has went well. It will be one of the nicest fields in the area," Bragaw said.

On Wednesday, the town plans to ask the Board of Finance to waive the normal bid process so it can hire RAD Sports, the Rockland, Mass., firm that installed the artificial turf field, to do the work on the grass fields.

"They've done a great job and been a pleasure to work with," Bragaw said.

He added that RAD Sports has its crew and equipment at the high school and having it complete the project would save time and money. RAD Sports has installed numerous artificial turf fields for high school, college and professional teams.

The project was undertaken because the softball, all-purpose, soccer and field hockey fields all flood while the soccer and football fields were uneven and had bare patches. The problems have been exacerbated by heavy use of the fields, not just by high school teams but by recreation programs, youth teams, residents and outside groups.

Having a lighted artificial turf field that can be used for several sports, at any time and in any weather, will lessen the pressure on the grass fields.

j.wojtas@theday.com