SALT LAKE CITY - The wall has been completed at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. If all goes well, at the beginning of the 2010 sports season, the Bulldogs will play games on their home field for the first time since 2008. "It has been a long haul," said Judge Principal Richard Bartman of the two-year saga. The school’s field was completed and put into use in the fall of 2007. The following January, the wall failed, especially on the southwest corner of the field. In a lawsuit, the Diocese of Salt Lake City and Judge Memorial alleged both design and construction defects. Subsequently, a confidential settlement with the general contractor and several subcontractors has been reached. However, completion of the field will depend on next year’s weather, not upon the lawsuit. Not having a home field has been "pretty stressful," said Paul Clark, a senior who plays running back and safety for the Bulldog football team. With the team having to take a bus to another school even for practices, the players "have about two minutes to get dressed for practice." That’s affected players mentally, he said, because "people are just so worried about getting to places on time that we don’t have time to go through a checklist" to prepare for games. Senior Laura Lighty, a defensive player on the Bulldog soccer team, also misses playing on the home field. ""Granite is a nice field, but it’s not our field," she said, adding that she thinks her team was more enthusiastic when playing at home. "The view is amazing (at Judge.) I felt more inspired playing on our field." Construction crews currently are winterizing the surface and finishing installation of the storm drain. When the weather warms again, the drainage system will be completed and the subliner will be installed, then the turf and landscaping put in, Bartman said. "The redesign and reconstruction has lasted a long, long time," he added. "It will be incredible to get the kids out there playing. They can’t wait to get out on it."
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