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Board planning committee recommends bundling turf and track replacement; $1.7–$1.8M ballpark discussed
Summary
Planning committee heard preliminary designs and recommended replacing the aging track and field turf together for economy and safety; initial cost estimates discussed were $1.7–$1.8 million (without optional shock pad) and the plan would likely go to a public referendum.
The district’s planning committee presented preliminary plans for replacing the aging track and artificial turf at Cheshire High School and recommended pursuing the projects together rather than separately, citing the field's underlying asphalt (more than 30 years old) and potential cost efficiencies.
Design consultants from SLR reviewed options and safety improvements — including shot-put/discus nets and updated geometry — and noted that completing both the track and turf together reduces mobilization costs and avoids repeated work on the subsurface. The committee discussed a preliminary ballpark construction estimate of roughly $1.7–$1.8 million for both track and turf, excluding optional shock-pad upgrades that would increase cost and concussion-safety benefits.
Board members noted the project likely would go to referendum (discussion referenced a potential November vote), and asked administration to improve public explanatory language about scope, tax impacts and safety benefits; several members said the district should prioritize clearer public outreach to address prior referendum defeats. Officials also compared turf usage hours to natural grass (roughly 36 hours/week on turf versus ~20–25 hours/week feasible on grass) and discussed GMAX testing and maintenance impacts.
Next steps: SLR will provide itemized costs and design details for the planning committee; board and administration plan targeted public outreach if the project proceeds to referendum.
