The Hackley School is moving forward with plans to build four new playing fields after receiving final approval from the Town of Greenburgh in May.

The $7.5 million project will include the construction of two artificial turf fields, one baseball field and one softball field. The turf surfaces will be used for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey.

Headmaster Walter Johnson said some alterations were made to original plans after concerns were raised by nearby residents about drainage, steep slopes and other environmental disturbances.

“It’s important to learn what’s important to the community and we made changes to try to minimize those concerns,” Johnson said.

The difficult economic times also played a role in the project as lighting was eliminated.

“We decided it was not timely in both expense and the process,” Johnson explained. “It looked like it was going to take a lot longer with lighting.”

Johnson noted Hackley has held sporting events at night in the past with temporary lighting and that would remain an option.

“One of the great things for schools and communities is to have games at night. It’s a great community building activity,” he said.

About 60 percent of Hackley’s more than 800 students participate in athletics but the school currently only has three athletic fields, which limits practice time.

“Since a lot of our competitors have artificial turf, it enables students to have experience on that surface,” Johnson said. “We will be able to play more effectively and students will have a better learning experience.”

To date, about half of the funds needed for the project has been raised. The turf fields are planned to be ready for action in fall 2011. The baseball and softball fields are slated to be completed by spring 2012.

The baseball field will be named after former lower school director Ron DelMoro, who died last August. Johnson said DelMoro was a passionate Yankees fan and his two sons played baseball at Hackley.