Organizers raising money for a proposed turf field behind Newtown High School are making a final push to ensure the project is a reality.

“We are within $11,600 of our fundraising goal for the installation of the turf field,” said Katie Metzker, vice president of cheer for the Newtown Youth Football & Cheer (NYF&C) program, in a March 1 e-mail to The Bee. “We want to thank those that have donated. If individuals or businesses have not yet donated, and would like to support this collaborative effort between the Newtown High School Athletic Department, Newtown Youth Football & Cheer, and Newtown Youth Lacrosse, please do so as the campaign will be closing soon. In order to make this long overdue project a reality, we need to reach our fundraising goal to secure the installation of the turf field.”

The Bee first reported on the fundraising efforts in an article, “Collaborative Effort Could Bring New Turf Field To Town” in the February 4 print edition (the article also ran online at newtownbee.com on February 6).

Pete Stockwell, president of NYF&C, said in the February article that of the $300,000 that needs to be raised for the project, $100,000 has been kicked in by Newtown Parks and Recreation, and another $75,000-$100,000 in private/business donations has been committed, leaving $100,000 to $125,000 to be raised by the end of February in order for the project site work to commence in June and be completed in time for the upcoming fall sports campaign.

The fate of the project does not seem to be in jeopardy based on what organizers say, but the timetable could hinge on that last nearly $12,000 coming in sooner rather than later.

“We are so close to our goal. We don’t want to shut it down but are in somewhat of an urgent need to raise the last of the funds,” Metzker said.

“With what we’ve been able to do in one month as a community, I feel very confident it’s going to happen. We just need a little bit more to get over the hump,” said Newtown High Athletic Director Matt Memoli, adding that Parks and Recreation needs to be able to do excavation work in early June in order for the surface to be ready for turf in August.

Readers may donate directly to NYF&C, PO Box 351 Newtown CT 06470 or the link https://www.blastathletics.com/teams/53308/sponsors/new.

Stockwell said direct donations are preferred and noted that NYF&C is a registered 501(c)(3).

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.