Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Athletic Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board accepts donated feasibility study to explore converting grass to synthetic turf
Summary
The Exeter Township School District board approved acceptance of a donated feasibility study to evaluate replacing a natural grass athletic field with synthetic turf. The study is donated at no cost; board members discussed project management fees, bid processes and the district's existing turf standard.
The Exeter Township School District board on Oct. 21 voted to accept a donated athletic feasibility study to evaluate converting a natural grass field to synthetic turf. The proposal, introduced by the athletics and extracurricular activities committee, was donated to the district at no cost and passed with no recorded opposition.
Mister Travis Odom, who presented the item, described extracurricular activities and athletics as important to student engagement and noted past athletic-generated revenue. During discussion, board members clarified that the feasibility study is a prerequisite to any construction and that any subsequent construction would require a competitive bidding process; preconstruction and professional services fees listed in the proposal would apply only if the district decides to move forward with construction. Board members also stressed the district should avoid having two different turf systems across its facilities.
Odom said the district’s extracurricular programs help retain students and provide pathways to higher education and careers; he cited district figures that, over the past decade, sports generated roughly $900,000 in revenue and that 12 to 15% of graduating classes over the last 10 years went on to compete at the collegiate level. Those figures were presented in the meeting discussion and were not accompanied by supporting budget documents in the agenda packet.
District staff explained the firm offering the study also listed estimated fees for project management and preconstruction services should the district later approve construction; those costs would be subject to a formal procurement process and competitive bidding if the board elects to proceed. The board approved acceptance of the feasibility study and noted that future steps — if pursued — will require formal contracting and bid-award procedures.
The motion did not authorize any construction funds or commit the district to replacing the field; it authorized only acceptance of the donated feasibility study and the district’s ability to proceed with study-related work.
