WASHINGTONVILLE -- Work has been completed on erosion and sedimentation controls for the first phase of a 200-acre recreation complex being developed by PPL near its Montour power plant.

The first phase of construction will feature soccer and baseball fields, hiking trails, a primitive camping area and amphitheater on PPL land about four miles from the plant.

Once the fields dry out later this spring, PPL will begin shipping Stabil-Fill to build two soccer fields, half of the parking lot and the athletic field comfort station.

Stabil-Fill, a soil-like material created from coal ash mixed with hydrated lime and water, will be used to flatten the existing rolling landscape. PPL has been converting coal ash from the Montour plant into Stabil-Fill since 1996 and says it is environmentally safe. The plan is to complete this phase of the work by the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.

The recreation complex is scheduled to be finished in 2011.