The Bellevue City Council awarded two contracts Monday, June 7 that together will provide synthetic turf for soccer and youth baseball fields at Newport Hills Park in time for next year’s sports season.

Completion of the project will fulfill the sports field improvement portion of the voter-approved 2008 Bellevue Parks & Natural Areas levy, which also included the installation of synthetic turf at Wilburton Hill Park in May. The two sports field improvement projects will be completed for about $200,000 less than the $3 million approved in the levy.

At Newport Hills Park, the city received a federal stimulus grant to install a state-of-the-art lighting system. In addition, the favorable bid climate will allow the city to provide additional upgrades at the park requested by the community, including additional parking, upgraded restrooms and relocated ball field.

The addition of synthetic turf makes often muddy, uneven fields more usable for year-round play. The Wilburton Hill Park sports field has already experienced more than double the use of previous years.