Phase one of the massive two-phase project, set to begin Thursday, will have crews tearing out the old playground. This is the first part of the yearlong project, and by the end, they want Fodor Field to be the place to go.

There are cracks in the asphalt, and paint peeling off the equipment at the field in Martins Ferry.

"We hope to revamp the entire Fodor Field, tear up the old equipment, put in new equipment, tear up the asphalt, put in comfortable AstroTurf," said Vicky Capuano, the Lions Club treasurer.

It has been a project in the making for well over a year, and now the club has been given the OK from the city to do some major renovations needed at the park.

Phase two will consist of putting in new amphitheater seats right behind the dugout at the baseball field, so those coming to the park will have a great place to sit and see all the action.

Officials with the Lions Club said construction on the playground should be done by early spring, but with the renovations comes a hefty price tag.

"Total costs, we are looking at half of a million, $500,000, but we hope to cut some of that cost by doing labor ourselves," Capuano said.

Once both phases are complete, Capuano said she is already gearing up for their next idea and project.

"Our baby pool is in disrepair, so we are already looking at another project down the road," Capuano said.

The organization is still in the process of gathering more funding through donations and they said it is perfect timing to start the project, because now that school is in session, the park does not get used much during the week.