A plan to install sprinklers to cool the artificial-turf field at West High’s Steve Lopez Stadium was put on hold after sections of the field were recently excavated.

Crews digging holes for sprinkler heads disrupted the first week of practice for the Wolf Pack track and field and girls soccer teams from Feb. 4 to 8.

Tracy Unified School District had workers fill in the holes so the teams could proceed with the spring sports season.

Bonny Carter, director of facilities and planning for Tracy Unified, said the field was plumbed for sprinklers when the stadium was built in 2008, to keep the synthetic turf from overheating in the summer.

Sprinkler heads and booster pumps will be added after the school year ends May 31.

Carter said Tracy Unified trustees approved completion of the West system in January 2012 at the same time they approved a similar plumbing system for the new Wayne Schneider Stadium at Tracy High.

She did not know the exact cost of the sprinklers at West, which is included in the $8.8 million cost of demolishing and reconstructing the Tracy High stadium.

Roebbelen Contracting of El Dorado Hills holds the contract for the job, which also includes relocating 12 portable classrooms at Tracy High.

• Contact Bob Brownne at 830-4227 or brownne@tracypress.com.