Residents approve district proposal to install FieldTurf

By a margin of 428 to 288, Schuylerville Central School District residents approved a proposal to install FieldTurf on the current football field and to construct a new press box. The work will begin in the spring and it's anticipated that the new field will be ready for fall 2010 sports practices beginning in August.

 

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District addressing athletic field space issues

On February 2, 2010, Schuylerville residents will be asked to vote on a proposition for the installation of FieldTurf on the current football field and a new press box—a move that would have no new tax impact and would allow the district to begin addressing athletic field space issues. The turf installation and press box would be funded using unallocated monies from the district’s current construction project.

“We’re currently $4.5 million under budget in the capital project,” explained Superintendent Ryan Sherman. “This allows us to do more improvements, including work that addresses health and safety needs, makes the district more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and improves energy efficiency. It also means that we can install FieldTurf at no additional cost beyond what was approved by voters in March 2007.”

While this work falls under the scope of the current construction project, Sherman and members of the Board of Education feel that Schuylerville residents should have an opportunity to become informed about the advantages of artificial turf and voice their opinions on this particular aspect of additional work.

The vote will be held from noon to 9 p.m. in the Elementary School. Click here for information on public forums related to this proposal.

 

Cost

The cost of installing FieldTurf and a press box is $1.8 million. With the aid the district now receives on construction projects (85 percent), the local cost would be $270,000, all of which would be covered under the current capital project.

Fieldturf Cost Breakdown

Installation cost in 2010......$1.8 million

Local taxpayer cost with 85 percent state aid...............$270,000

Maintenance cost savings over 15 years........................$240,000

Revenue from other teams.......$15,500

When considering the savings on maintenance costs, revenue generated from other teams using the facility and state aid, it’s estimated that the field would pay for itself within 15 years (see accompanying chart).

“The district’s athletic programs have expanded over the last several years. Currently, 693 student-athletes participate in spring and fall sports,” Sherman said. “For many reasons, this is the perfect time to revisit the space issues and consider cost-effective solutions.”

 

A Space Issue, Not a Turf vs. Grass Field Issue

Sherman pointed out the lack of athletic practice and playing fields is driving the decision to consider installation of FieldTurf.

 

“This is a space issue, not a turf versus natural grass issue,” he said. “More students overall, more participation in the athletic program and the addition of new sports teams means there’s more demand than ever before for sports and physical education facilities in our district. We’re looking for the most economical way to extend the playing time on our current fields.”

 

An Illustration of the Space Issue: 13 Fall Teams on Fewer Than Three Fields

During the fall 2009 sports season, 13 separate teams were attempting to practice on 2.5 district athletic fields. In addition, the football and soccer fields were often unsafe due to wet and muddy conditions, leading to the cancellation of several home contests and the relocation of matches to other school districts’ fields. The poor conditions led to the cancellation of numerous practices and community events throughout the fall season, as well.

Moreover, the lack of available fields creates a logistical nightmare when scheduling games and practices. For example, if there is a home varsity soccer game, all J.V. games have to be moved off site because there is only one soccer field on our campus. Normally, our varsity and J.V. teams would travel together to play at the same site.

 

Three Fields in One

“The FieldTurf field is essentially equivalent to having three separate fields when you consider the extended playing time you get,” Sherman explained. “We’d like all of our teams—including lacrosse in the spring and such community-based teams as OSAA football and soccer—to be able to take advantage of district facilities. When considering all of the options, we feel installation of turf begins to address the space needs. We understand today’s economic climate and feel it’s in our best interest to address the space issues now—when we have a high aid ratio and when we can do the work as part of the current construction project at no additional funding needed from local taxpayers.”

Schuylerville Board of Education President Mike Booth agreed, “This is an opportunity to begin alleviating many existing problems while still keeping the district under the $29.4 million approved by voters in March 2007.”

 

 

More Information

For more information on the proposal to install FieldTurf and reconstruct the press box, please plan to attend one of the public forums. All meetings will be held in the Jr.-Sr. High School Chorus Room. The schedule is as follows:

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 4 p.m.

 

An informational Q&A is available by clicking here or download the brochure [PDF file] sent to residents.

 

Voter Qualifications

In order to vote in the district, you must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

 

Absentee Ballots

If you would like an application for an absentee ballot, please click here [PDF file] to download one or call the Superintendent’s Office at 695-3255, ext. 3242. You are eligible to use an absentee ballot if you are unable to vote because you are: out of the district for work-related or military reasons, in jail, hospitalized, permanently disabled, sick and confined to home, or on vacation and out of the district.

 

Architect's Rendering of FieldTurf Field