TURNER — A community group from Leavitt Area High School wants to start a campaign to improve the high school football field, allowing more groups to use it more hours.

Larry Hathaway, a coach and parent, said the goal is give the field a major makeover, upgrade bleachers and convert the grass cover into one with artificial turf. Artificial turf is more durable but expensive.

The cost to do that would be in the neighborhood of $750,000. It’s a lot, “but the football field is in dire need of being recrowned,” Hathaway said. The field, built nearly 50 years ago, has sunk and is worn. “Now any amount of rain makes it so soupy that injuries occur,” Hathaway said. “The thing was built back in the early ’60s.”

Hathaway and his group of improve-the-field supporters will ask permission to start a campaign from the Regional School Unit 52 board Wednesday night. “We’re asking for permission to go forward with the project,” Hathaway said.

The field changes would mean other sports teams, including soccer and field hockey, would be able to use the field. They’d be able to play on weekends and at nights, since the field has lights.

With a turf field “we would not have to worry about playing two games back to back. It would be everybody’s advantage to have it. We have great community involvement in soccer and field hockey and football.” Those groups are now turned away, he said.

The group will give the school board an overview of the project when board members meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Leeds Central School. Community members are encouraged to attend the public meeting.