FORESTVILLE — Stemming from issues and complaints from neighbors, the Forestville Central School District is partnering with Chautauqua County Soil and Water to look at drainage issues in the athletic fields.

This will be done as part of a project to address water retention and drainage on the football and softball fields, which has been a long-standing issue. It will also address cleaning the streams around the athletic fields as well.

Forestville Superintendent Renee Garrett publicly thanked groundskeeper Brian Taber for making the connection, scheduling the original site visit with Chautauqua County Soil and Water. Garrett said Taber is confident this project will cause the change Forestville needs.

“He never offers a 100% guarantee,” Garrett said. “But on this, he is. So, we are going to see a definite change on our fields because of what’s going to happen.”

Garrett said there are a couple avenues for funding for this project, including a first round of grant funding available for this spring, which will be used to address the flooding on the lower fields, perimeter drain systems, and cleaning out the entire stream. There is one other grant Garrett said they are applying for, and there will be a detailed update at Forestville’s next school board meeting.

“There are some really neat things they can do,” Garrett said.

This opportunity also serves as an educational experience for some Forestville students. Garrett said that students involved in the Envirothon Club can use this as part of the club’s competition. Garrett also said the renovations will make for some happier neighbors.

“I’m sure our neighbors will be happy,” said Garrett.

“We have had some water issues that affected our neighbors when we had severe downpours. We can’t wait to get this out in the news and let people know, but like I said, this is going to solve all our issues on these fields.”

Forestville’s next school board meeting will take place on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.