McDONALD — Out with the grass, in with the turf.

A new stadium for the McDonald Local Schools has been in the works since 2018.

McDonald’s new turf field and track will replace the old grass field that sits adjacent to the school. The turf is finished, although construction of the locker rooms, restrooms and concessions hasn’t begun.

The field has had two home football games this fall despite being unfinished, simply because everyone was so excited to finally use it, said Superintendent Kevin O’Connell during a board of education meeting on Monday.

During the games, the football players used trailers as locker rooms, and portable toilets were available for public use.

Construction of the locker room and training facility will begin sometime in 2022.

When the project began, the board moved $2.6 million from its general fund to the Athletic Field Replacement Fund, which is a separate fund established for the new athletic complex construction. The board recently transferred money, about $505,000, to cover additional expenses.

Beginning in 2021, the board started transferring an additional $20,000 each year to prepare for future upkeep of the Second Street complex.

The board noted that it expects to transfer approximately $400,000 into the Athletic Field Replacement fund during 2022.