At Cranston High School West’s new turf football field and athletic facilities, the goal line is closer than ever.

Some of the final steps of the project – a public-private partnership between the city and the Cranston West Alumni Association – were completed over the weekend, including the pouring of a cement floor and apron, electrical work and the installation of a new sewer line.

“I’m very appreciative for all the support from current and former students, for giving up their weekends to help push this project along,” said David DiMaio, president of the Alumni Association. “This is what can be accomplished when community comes together with the support of the city.”

More remains to be done, including some additional electrical work at the new concession stand and press box. The association also continues to have dedicated pavers available for the van Eeghen Alumni Pavilion, as well as a pair of bench sponsorships available.

The pandemic, too, casts some uncertainty over how exactly school will look when classes resume. But at this point, all signs point to Cranston West players being able to take the field at home this fall for the first time in several years.

“I think it’s very exciting … It’s a different atmosphere to play at your school,” said Tom Milewski, West’s head football coach.

“It’s been a great community project,” added Justin Erickson, a member of the Alumni Association and middle school athletic director. “It’s exciting times. Hopefully we’ll get to play there soon.”

DiMaio thanked a number of people and businesses that contributed to the work over the weekend.

Universal Excavating and its president, Pat Czerwien, donated their work for the new sewer line connection and pump installation, while West alum Vinny Rossi and Rudy Branca of Rossi Electric Co. – along with members of IBEW Local 99 – performed the electrical work.

DiMaio also thanked Consolidated Concrete, which donated the cement; members of OPCMIA Local 40 and its business agent, David Gentille III, for assistance with the cement masonry; and Coastal Corp. and its owner, Justin Wilbur, for assistance with the site work.

Erica Caligiuri of the Alumni Association said pavers remain available for a tax-deductible cost of $100. Nearly 200 have been sold to date, she said, including roughly 100 in recent months.

“A lot of people have been doing it for the class of 2020,” she said of the pavers, which are inscribed with dedications. “They’re also pretty good Father’s Day gifts.”

The pavers, Caligiuri said, will be the “very last piece” of the work at the revitalized complex. They will remain available for purchase once the pavilion is complete, she added, although the association is hopeful that most will be sold and included in the first phase of installation.

The association also has two remaining concrete benches available to sponsor at a cost of $3,000. One of the benches has already been acquired by a previous graduating class, she said. The benches will be engraved and highly visible as part of the new complex, she said.

“It’s literally coming to life … We really all have worked so hard in this past year,” Caligiuri said of the project.

For more information on the association and its paver and bench sponsorship opportunities, visit its Facebook page (@cranstonwestalumniassociation), website (cranstonwestalumniassociation.org) or email Caligiuri at ecal831@gmail.com.