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School committee approves schematic design for Curtis Corner athletic complex
Summary
The South Kingstown School Committee unanimously approved schematic designs for a new athletic complex at Curtis Corner Middle School, including an eight-lane track, synthetic turf field, lighting, bleachers and drainage improvements; the district will submit the design to RIDE and estimates the project cost at about $6 million for the athletic portion.
The South Kingstown School Committee on Tuesday approved the schematic design for the Curtis Corner Middle School athletic complex and authorized submission of the design to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).
The committee’s approval follows a presentation by Phil, a project presenter on the school building committee, who described the plan for an eight-lane encapsulated track, a synthetic-turf field with a reusable shock pad, perimeter lighting, two 500-seat bleacher structures and a secure perimeter fence with turnstiles for public access. Mr. Phil said the design emphasizes improved storm-water management and an elevated white retaining wall to raise the site grade for drainage.
The proposal calls for a synthetic turf with a hybrid fiber and an infill blend using virgin rubber (not recycled rubber); presenters said the field and track surfaces are expected to have a life span of about 10–12 years, with the shock pad lasting 20–24 years. The project team noted RIDE will reimburse installation of the system only once and will not cover replacement costs at the end of the system’s life.
During questions, committee members pressed designers on maintenance, footwear policies and how teams would traverse the track to reach the field. Presenters described options such as roll-out protective mats during football use and signage to encourage appropriate footwear for community users. Project staff said routine grooming, vacuuming and periodic shock-impact testing would be required to maintain safe playing conditions.
Project costs for the athletic component were summarized by the presenters: site work about $1.25 million, track about $1.0 million, field about $1.75 million and site amenities (bleachers, fencing, lighting, plaza) about $2.0 million, for an athletic-phase subtotal of roughly $6 million. Presenters cautioned that replacement of the track and field surface in a decade-plus would require significant future capital.
The committee voted in favor of the schematic design and approved submission to RIDE; the building demolition phase referenced in the presentation has already been awarded by the town council and mobilization is expected soon. Construction for the athletic phase could start as early as July, with the overall campus work targeted for completion before the 2027 school year.
The committee’s approval is a schematic-design authorization; final design details, lighting types, signage and exact fence/turnstile designs will be refined during later design development and construction-document phases.
