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Turf removed, drains inspected as work progresses on Dennis-Yarmouth intermediate/middle fields; testing underway
Summary
Contractors have removed turf from both fields at Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate/Middle School and engineers are testing the subbase and drains to assess problems with the original field construction; heavy equipment is scheduled to arrive after school ends June 18.
District officials told the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School Committee on June 2 that demolition of the existing artificial turf on the intermediate/middle school fields is complete and that engineering teams are conducting layered testing of the subbase and drains to document the condition of the original installation.
Dr. Smith, superintendent, said rolls of turf have been removed from the lower and upper fields and that multiple parties — the district’s contracted engineer, the engineer who designed the original fields, and the district’s owner’s project manager (OPM) — are conducting testing and camera inspections as crews peel the field back layer by layer.
Officials said camera inspections of the drains beneath the field have been performed to check for clogged material. “They've been sending cameras, again, from all these different groups to check for any clogged material in the drains,” Dr. Smith said. He added that a recent heavy rainstorm provided additional visual evidence and that testing is being documented by the engineers on-site.
Dr. Smith said contractors are staging excavated material on-site while school is in session and that larger specialized trucks and equipment are scheduled to arrive and begin major removal work on or about June 18, 2025. The superintendent said the contractor has been deliberate about limiting large truck traffic while school is in session.
School Committee members asked about the district’s separate investigation of the original design and whether the district is taking steps to document and strengthen its position. Dr. Smith said the district has the team that presented concerns in executive session on-site and that Helene Aldrich — the engineer who performed testing for the committee — plus the OPM are all conducting assessments as layers are removed.
Why it matters: The field replacement is an active capital project with potential implications for warranty or liability tied to the original design and construction. The district said it is documenting conditions at each stage and coordinating multiple technical teams to gather evidence.
Additional details: Weekly progress meetings are ongoing; sampling and camera work are intended to determine whether subbase or drainage failures occurred and to provide evidence related to the original construction. Officials said major hauling will be timed to avoid heavy school traffic and start after the school year ends.
