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Odessa R-VII discusses baseball/softball turf conversion and approves track resurfacing
Summary
The Odessa R-VII Board discussed plans to replace baseball and softball infields with artificial turf and voted to resurface and restripe the high school track, approving a $145,860 bid from Midwest Synthetic Turf Professionals.
The Odessa R-VII Board of Education discussed plans to replace the baseball infield turf and convert the softball infield to turf, and voted to resurface and restripe the high school track.
Board members and staff identified Midwest Synthetic Turf Professionals as the recommended vendor for turf work and for track resurfacing. Maintenance staff said Midwest will help prepare an RFP for the grading and excavation work that must accompany a turf installation and that those numbers are expected back for possible approval at the February board meeting.
Maintenance staff summarized the turf plan: "So what we're looking at is, to replace the turf on the baseball infield exactly like it is, and then also convert the softball infield to turf," and said the district will bid grading work separately. The board discussed user behavior on turf and adjacent batting cages and asked whether signage or enforcement around cleat type and sunflower seeds will be needed. Board member Roger noted concerns about current wear and maintenance on dirt infields: "...the maintenance guys don't prep the field the softball field right," and said volunteer labor has been required to ready fields for games.
On a separate, actionable item, the board accepted a bid to resurface and restripe the high school track. The district packet contained a Midwest Synthetic Turf Professionals quote of $145,860 for complete resurfacing and restriping; a motion was made and seconded and the board approved the bid. Maintenance staff said the resurfacing covers the track surface (asphalt base and athletic surface) and includes the north-end areas used for field events.
Board members also discussed relative lifespan and use of surfacing and whether different colors or exchange-zone striping would alter cost or elevation. Maintenance staff said changing colors or adding thick layers for different-colored exchange zones would require significant material and could affect surface elevation, so keeping the current colors was recommended.
The baseball/softball turf project remains at the discussion/planning stage. Staff said Midwest will guide the district through the RFP process for grading and excavation and the district expects to present firm numbers for board consideration at the February meeting. Board members noted that converting both infields to turf should reduce metal-cleat damage and some ongoing maintenance burdens but asked staff to coordinate signage and use policies for the new surfaces.
Ending: The board approved the track resurfacing contract and directed staff to return turf project cost estimates and the grading RFP for board action in February.
