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Board briefed on Stone Memorial field and track options; repair, Bermuda and synthetic turf estimates presented
Summary
Staff and a contractor presented two principal options for Stone Memorial High School's football field — natural Bermuda with upgraded drainage (~$785,000) or synthetic turf (~$1.2 million) — and a track replacement estimated near $790,000.
District staff and an engineering/construction contractor presented options and cost estimates for replacing or rehabilitating the athletic field and track at Stone Memorial High School (SMHS).
Mr. Chamberlain, who led the briefing, said the contractor Baseline provided two main field options: reestablish a natural Bermuda turf with an upgraded sprinkler system and under-field drainage, and a full synthetic-turf replacement. "Total cost on that effort would be $785,000 is their estimate" for a Bermuda field with under-field drainage, Chamberlain said. He said the synthetic-turf alternative was "about a $1,200,000 cost." Chamberlain also reported a track replacement estimate of roughly $790,000 to replace the track with a urethane surface.
Nut graf: The district faces a choice between a lower-initial-cost natural turf approach that requires ongoing maintenance and a higher-cost synthetic surface with longer-term replacement cycles; staff also described interim, lower-cost measures to extend the life of the existing Bermuda.
Contractors explained the site currently has a perimeter drainage system and a crown, but not an under-field drainage installation; contractors recommended installing an under-field system if a natural-turf rebuild occurred. Chamberlain said the field had functioned for 15 to 16 years without under-field drainage but that maintenance and drainage cleaning are needed.
District athletics and maintenance staff described a contingency plan to revive Bermuda turf without full replacement: remove fescue, apply herbicide, add sand infill, aerate, and either sprig or sod remaining areas. Doctor Maddox told the board that full sod of the entire field would cost "approximately around $60,000" if required as a contingency, while acknowledging that sprigging and other less-costly rehabilitation could deliver usable turf in weeks if weather and irrigation allowed.
Ending: Staff said they would pursue bids and have a contingency maintenance plan to prepare the field for the upcoming season; no procurement vote occurred during the work session. The board discussed funding trade-offs (track and field costs vs. other capital needs) and directed staff to return with procurement details and funding recommendations.
