Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Forsyth County board approves $13.2 million contract for high‑school synthetic turf
Summary
The Forsyth County Board of Education unanimously approved contract C26‑03 with Shaw Sports Turf to install synthetic turf at district high‑school baseball, softball and practice fields, a package project funded largely by the recent SPLAST referendum; work is slated to start in 2027.
The Forsyth County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve contract C26‑03, a $13.2 million agreement to install synthetic turf at high‑school athletic fields across the district.
Brad Richardson, who led the procurement review, told the board that Shaw Sports Turf emerged as "the highest‑scoring vendor" after a competitive solicitation and comparisons of references, product samples and safety research. The approved scope covers seven baseball fields, seven softball fields, four turf practice fields at schools that do not currently have one, plus two alternate returf sites (Denmark and Lambert). Construction planning and design work will begin in 2026 and field renovations are expected to start in early 2027.
Presenters said the procurement followed a committee process that included coaches, athletic directors, principals and other stakeholders. Matt Work described site work needs such as soil testing and laser grading and noted the schedule was intentionally timed to avoid disrupting ongoing seasons. Richardson and Work emphasized safety research and documentation from the vendor; the board asked specifically about animals and field contamination and were told that the contract covers only playing surfaces and that animals are not permitted on turf competition fields.
Board members also discussed the project budget and district SPLAST funding. Presenters said the athletic‑turf portion of the project was bid at roughly $13.2 million with alternates and that the district has set aside $100,000 per elementary (23 schools, $2.3 million) to support school‑initiated playground or elementary turf projects. Work told the board the combined elementary allocation plus the athletic turf sum remains well under the district’s original planning figures; "we're under budget by more than $7 million," he said, noting the remaining SPLAST funds can be directed to other approved projects.
The contract passed on a motion by Mr. McCall with a second by Mr. Underwood and a unanimous vote. Dr. Mitch Young recommended approval before the vote.
Next steps: design work will proceed in late 2026, with physical installations planned in calendar 2027. The district said it will distribute vendor safety information and FAQs to schools and families before construction and before any fields are opened for play.
