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Committee hears detailed plan for Marshall Simons turf field, seeks contingent approval
Summary
A subcommittee presented plans for a new turf fiber field at Marshall Simons with accessible walkways, LED lighting, netting and added parking; the school committee signaled support pending Conservation Commission approval and budget constraints.
The Marshall Simons Field renovation moved forward in discussion as the School Committee heard a first-reading presentation of a planned turf installation, accessibility upgrades and ancillary site work.
Committee members reviewed a subcommittee recommendation for a turf fiber field with a mixed infill (SBR rubber and sand with silicone compound), perimeter and access walkways, LED lights with targeted cutoff, new scoreboards, netting to protect nearby wetlands, and three added accessible parking spaces at the rear lot. The plan includes “nature seating” on the slope with a fifth row paved to provide three hard-surface access points for people using the accessible walkway.
Mr. Cunanan (presenting for the subcommittee) and other project leads described the design as a pair of MIAA-regulation playing fields separated by a collapsible center net to allow simultaneous use for different sports and safety runoff areas around the fields. The subcommittee emphasized accessibility, sightlines to scoreboards and emergency vehicle access from the top and far side of the site.
The committee was told that a Notice of Intent has been filed with the Conservation Commission and that any final vote by the committee should be contingent on Conservation approval and on staying within the town-approved project budget plus contingency. Subcommittee members asked the committee to consider a contingent endorsement of the major field features so the district can move quickly to bid and preserve a construction window that could begin as early as April or May and take approximately 2½–3 months to complete if approvals and bids align.
The subcommittee also described outreach to abutters on lighting and a plan to pan and cut off LED light spill using modern Musco fixtures. Speakers noted that netting will be installed behind goals to keep balls out of the wetlands and that the choice of dual- and monofilament-type fibers was intended to more closely simulate natural grass while maintaining durability.
No formal committee vote was recorded at the meeting; committee leaders indicated they expected to place a contingent vote on the next meeting agenda pending Conservation Commission responses and any required mitigation.
Why it matters: The project converts a grass surface to synthetic turf with broad access improvements that could expand the facility’s usable hours and programming, while raising questions about wetlands permitting, light spill and long-term maintenance costs for turf fields.
What’s next: Conservation Commission review, subcommittee follow-up on mitigation and materials, and a contingent committee vote to authorize bidding if conditions and budget remain acceptable.
