ADAMS TWP — The Mars School Board has changed the contractor that will install turf at a new field on Three Degree Road and at the athletic complex.

The district solicitor, Tom King, advised the board that after reviewing the bids for the two projects, he discovered that TPK was actually a lower bidder than ProGrass, the contractor approved by the board last week.

At its Tuesday night meeting, the board voted to rescind the ProGrass contract of $1.5 million and award the contract to TPK.

Board member William Pettigrew, who is the retired longtime Mars superintendent, explained before the vote that he would vote against the change.

Pettigrew said TPK is the contractor for the current softball field project, which is behind schedule.

He added that ProGrass turf is a proven product at Mars, unlike the Shaw turf used by TPK.

Pettigrew said ProGrass has installed turf for the district in the past, and has responded well when called with any issue.

“There are no assurances that will be the case with a different company, so I’m voting no,” Pettigrew said.

The TPK bid is $1.37 million.

New turf is to be installed on district property along Doc’s Way, where a full-size soccer field will see practice and games played by various school sporting teams.

The project also calls for new turf and end zone lettering on the main field at the Mars Athletic Complex behind the middle school.

The board on Tuesday voted 7-1 to rescind the ProGrass contract, with Pettigrew voting no. It then voted 6-2 to award the bid to TPK, with Pettigrew and Gordon Marburger voting against the measure.

Board member Christine Valenta did not attend the meeting.

Superintendent Wesley Shipley said last week that work on the new field will begin as soon as possible and the athletic complex turf replacement likely would begin when school ends for the summer.