WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. January 14, 2009: The White Plains City School District confirmed today underground springs in the embankment overlooking Loucks Field at the high school may be threatening the $5.4 Million Loucks Field renovation, where an Olympic quality Track and synthetic turf field opened just 10 months ago. The spring problem was discovered about a year ago  approximately the time the new track was laid down and after the aritificial turf was laid.

Construction  Monday on Loucks Field Terrace, installing drains and retaining to prevent underground spring seepage onto Loucks Field.

Work began on installing a retaining wall and a drainage system on the hill approximately January 2 and has been going on for at least two weeks. Seiler said the work crews are installing drainage pipes to reroute underground springs that flow in the embankment area upon which the new bleachers are built.

Seiler told WPCNR the work is being done to prevent water from the springs  under the hill collecting on the track. Asked if the waters were coming up from underneath the track, Seiler said they were not.

Loucks Field Monday in 25 degree temperatures. Pools of water reflect goalposts. All other snow was frozen crispy solid and there was no melting or slush to be seen except on the track. Extent of leakage, whether subterranean or surface has not been disclosed to reporters

WPCNR and a companion first noticed water appearing to ooze UP onto the track at the north end of the field, (above)from under a removable panel January 2.  When the panel was stood on, the water seeped out (above) indicating water underneath the panel. (Shown above). 

WPCNR called the high school athletic director last week, to ask whether there was an underground water problem developing at the track. The Athletic Director said there was not. He said they were just putting in a retaining wall, that had been planned to be done as part of the field.

Work began on south side of stadium "terrace" at end of December.

Today, Mr. Seiler said, the district “contracted a year ago to do it.” He said the effort at putting in the retaining wall and drain pipes were to “direct where it (the water) goes instead of on the field.” He described the water from the embankment as “draining more up on the hill there.” He said, to his knowledge it did not come up under the track.

He directed WPCNR to Mike Lynch, head of Facilities and Operations who was handling the project. WPCNR called early this afternoon  to ask Mr. Lynch why the draining problem would be addressed at this stage of the construction instead of before the field was built and what the cost of the retaining wall work. The question is also raised as to why the condition was not addressed by the architect and field construction contractor.  It may be this is standard procedure to take care of drainage after a field is constructed, or whether there was an issue of getting the field and track ready in time for the Loucks Games last May.

Seiler put the cost as over $25,000 but did not have the exact figure.  WPCNR awaits Mr. Lynch’s explanation of the work and to what extent the integrity of the track and the artificial turf installation is compromised by the rogue springs.

Sources have told WPCNR that the springs have long been known to exist in the area and the district was aware of them. In addition, it isWPCNR’s recollection that the Loucks Field also presented drainage problems after rains.