The loss of ferry service means it will take longer than expected to fix the Queen Charlotte secondary school field, school district secretary-treasurer Andrea deBucy told trustees at a meeting March 28.
The district ordered three large loads of sod for the field, but only two of them had arrived on-island when the Queen of the North sank March 22, she said.
The third load was left sitting in Prince Rupert because ferry service was suspended in the wake of the sinking. It finally arrived via barge the morning of March 28, but it was not in good shape.
Ms deBucy said they managed to salvage about 75 percent of the sod, but the rest had yellowed and died due to the long wait.
"The grass puts out so much heat it literally cooks itself," she said.
Ms deBucy said BC Ferries should pay for the lost sod, and she will be looking into filing a claim, although she expects the ferry service will be flooded with claims.
"We're probably going to have to take a number," she said.
The field was supposed to be ready for play in mid-April, once the new sod became established.
The community effort on the field is very much appreciated and trustees said they will be putting out a public thank you to all the volunteers.