(MARGUERITE LANTHIER/Daily News photo) A Bacco Construction Co. crew completes prep work at Flivver Field in Kingsford as part of the first phase of a three-phase project to replace the field and track.

KINGSFORD — The first of a planned three-phase project on the Kingsford High School athletic field is nearly complete.

According to Superintendent Aaron Yonke, phase one involved Bacco Construction of Iron Mountain removing the football field. The company excavated down several feet and installed a drain system that can hold 30 inches of rain an hour. Once the drain system was completed, it was covered with crushed rock and built back up with fill dirt.

“So really the first phase was all about digging out the football field and creating a base for the turf,” Yonke said. Earlier in the week, concrete was installed around the edge of the field.

Great Lakes Astroturf is expected to be on site next week to begin installing the turf.

“Once that’s done, step three will be excavating and installing the new track,” Yonke said.

They hope to have the project done by the end of August, before the start of the new school year.

Coleman Engineering did engineering for the project.

Yonke said that one of the selling points for the project is the field will be used by both the football and soccer teams. The band will be able to practice on the field and physical education classes can utilize it.

“We don’t have to worry about over-use or if it gets wet. It leads to more use of that fantastic facility,” Yonke said. It should help extend the practice season for spring sports, too.

Yonke said a similar field was installed at a school where he used to work in Wisconsin and no safety issues resulted.

The funding for the $1.8 million project came from several sources. The district is using $1.5 million from the Zanardi Family Trust; $300,000 from Iron Mountain- Kingsford Community Schools, donated over two years; and $150,000 from the athletic booster club. In addition, local businesses and individuals have contributed $144,000 toward the fundraising goal of $150,000.

“Support from the community has been fantastic,” Yonke said.

They are already thinking about the future maintenance costs and plan to establish a fund with donations so money won’t have to come from the school budget.

“The school system is the heart and soul of the community. To do something to improve that, and do it in a way that honors the Zanardi family and improve the overall experience for students, is a great way to honor them,” Yonke said.