Synthetic turf approved for district stadiums and high schools
(11/27/2019) A plan to add synthetic turf surfaces at district stadiums and one additional practice field at each high school was approved by the School Board at their Nov. 25, 2019 meeting. The action allows planning and engineering work for five stadium fields to begin in the fall of 2020, with project completion set for the fall of 2021. One practice field would be installed at each high school the following year.
The School Board has been monitoring field conditions over the past several years. With the addition of lacrosse in the spring came additional need for maintenance and repair, and a growing cycle that compromised the ability to provide consistent quality conditions across the district.
Stadium fields currently host five varsity programs including football, boys and girls soccer and boys and girls lacrosse. With synthetic turf, field use can be expanded from the current 65 events per year to over 245 events and junior varsity, sophomore and other level programs can be added. Physical education classes along with marching band, dance and others would also benefit through access to the fields.
Funding for the synthetic turf fields will come from a one-time allocation from fund balance.