By this fall, officials hope township sports programs will have two new artificial turf fields to play on.

Council President Stephen C. Acropolis said the township will pay for the turf fields both through a $1.2 million state grant and with money Brick has put aside for recreation programs. However, he said the spending now will translate into savings in future years.

In addition Acropolis said that, whereas use of grass fields has to be limited to give the surface a chance to recover, turf fields can support much more extensive play. And turf has an environmental benefit, too, according to town officials ?EUR??,,????'?????<

“In the long run, if you look at manpower costs and the use of the fields, it makes sense to come into the 21st century,” Acropolis said.

The fields will be marked for soccer, lacrosse and football.