Facilities committee weighs turf for Spalding High field; foundation may fund feasibility study
Loading...
Summary
Committee discussed priorities for athletic-field renovations including turfing the football field, possible foundation-funded feasibility study, rental revenue potential, maintenance/replacement funding and next steps to invite the athletic director, principal and an engineer to the next meeting.
The Barre Unified Union School District #97 Facilities Committee began developing priorities for athletic-field renovations, including a discussion about installing artificial turf for the Spalding High School football field and whether a feasibility study — potentially funded by the Spalding High School Foundation — would be a next step.
Giuliano asked the committee to rank priorities because the district cannot fund all improvements at once. Committee members suggested starting with a professional engineer estimate so the board and potential funders know realistic costs. "If the board's in favor of that... as long as it's not costing the school district any money, if the foundation is willing to pay for this, then the board will approve taking that first step," one committee member said, describing the foundation's interest.
Members discussed revenue and lifecycle trade-offs. Jamie noted turf could be rented to outside teams but warned that greater rental use accelerates wear: "We could rent out those fields, but then we're gonna wear the fields out that much sooner." Committee members said turf typically carries warranties and a 20-year lifecycle but stressed the need for a replacement or field fund: "We have to have the field fund," one member said, comparing turf replacement planning to a roof fund.
The committee agreed to invite the athletic director (Derek), the principal (Denise), and retired engineer Jeff Tucker to a future facilities meeting to discuss priorities and to solicit a professional cost estimate. Committee members noted prior attempts to secure funding were interrupted by the flood and COVID, but said in-kind donations and community support helped with prior projects such as the stadium lights.
Next steps: staff will invite Derek, Denise and Jeff Tucker to the next facilities meeting and develop a phased list of priorities and likely scopes for an engineer to estimate. The committee will present recommended priorities to the full board for consideration.
