Update on timeline of synthetic turf field projects at district stadiums
(01/15/2021) At the regular meeting of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board Jan. 11, Greg Cole, chief operations officer, Steve Anderson, director of buildings and grounds, and Jacob Morgan, buildings and grounds site supervisor, presented an overview of the timeline and process for approval of synthetic turf fields.
The district is moving forward with a recommendation to place synthetic turf at the stadiums this summer at Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools and at the stadium at Goodrich Field for Anoka High School. Fields will be ready for the fall 2021 school year.
The process of adding synthetic turf began by gathering information in a community survey in 2018 and was followed by evaluation and analysis of cost, maintenance, use and safety, and was part of public discussion in 2019. The School Board then made the project a strategic priority, which was moved into the implementation phase in 2019.
“The number one rationale to this project is to provide a safe and equitable playing surface for all sports and activities regardless of season,” Cole said. “One of the things that became increasingly difficult, was maintaining our fields, particularly the pressure on these facilities in the spring season.”
Prior to the introduction of lacrosse as a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)-sponsored sport in 2007, district facilities had more opportunity to rejuvenate during the spring season.
The new synthetic turf facilities will also provide increased access for school curriculum and activities, a reduction in need for alternative facility rentals and an increased opportunity for revenue through field rentals to offset costs.
In the July 13 update on the synthetic turf project to the School Board, a proposal was made to build a new stadium at Anoka High School, that would include a synthetic turf field with markings for football, lacrosse and soccer. After considerable evaluation and receiving feedback from the community, the decision has been made to install synthetic turf at Goodrich Field.
“Based on the input received, we decided that at this time it is important to pursue a synthetic turf field at Goodrich Field in Anoka,” Cole said.
All projects are within the projected budget and are programmed to be in operation for the fall of 2021.
Learn more about the synthetic turf project by watching the Jan. 11 School Board meeting.