Turf Field FAQs

Turf fields were not part of the original scope of the project, but were on our list if sufficient funds remained after the completion of the buildings.

The board voted no on agenda item G3 on Tuesday, February 21st. 

However, please note that the board asked if the bids for the tracks and turf could be addressed separately. Due to the specific bid referred to in G3, the board voted no because the bid could not be split between turf fields and the tracks. The tracks have always been part of the Locally Funded Initiative (LFI) scope, and continue to be a priority. The board will move forward with the tracks as soon as possible. 

The board wanted to look into turf more because the bid was more than we anticipated. As recently as last fall, we expected a price tag of under $2 million for both fields. The bid, after a discount, was closer to $3.5 million. This bid for turf fields came in at approximately double what the board was expecting, and there remains some concern about whether there will be sufficient funds to cover all of the special projects, and when those funds will be available. Turf fields will continue to be studied and explored. 
 

We are certain of $2 million of unused Locally Funded Initiative (LFI) dollars remaining. We have $3.7 million of interest money in the building funds generated from the bond issue. We may also have up to $2 million left after completing both PK-12 Campuses and any demolition and abatement of the buildings. Since this means waiting until all buildings are disposed of, it could be as long as 24 months before those dollars are available to us.

Items on the special projects list that have been or must be funded include:

• New track at KR and resurfacing of the track at NE: Current bid is $1.4 million
• New bleachers and press box at KR: $779,103 
• Support building for NE Athletic Complex (there is no school building at the NE Athletic Complex): $1,000,000 (Please note that this is only an estimate.)
• Lighting for both KR and NE stadiums: $600,000
• Shelter houses at each school: $100,000
• Additional playground equipment at both: $100,000
• Additional parking lots:  No estimate yet
• Renovations for a board office space (looking at the house we own on Bosart Road): $200,000
• Fencing for KR & NE (outer ring of football and soccer stadiums): $102,000 
   

A board member shared a few of the studies they reviewed at the links below. 

Heavy Metals:

• Pavilonis BT, Weisel CP, Buckley B, Lioy PJ. Bioaccessibility and Risk of Exposure to Metals and SVOCs in Artificial Turf Field Fill Materials and Fibers.
• Marsili, Coppola, Bianchi N, Maltese, Bianchi M, Fossi MC. Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields: Preliminary Hazard Assessment for Athletes
• Straus, Lindsey Barton, 2009, Turf Wars: Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf, momsTEAM

PFOA’s:

• Feldscher, Karen, 2022, “Stricter federal guidelines on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water pose challenges,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Wolf, Abby, 2019, “Public debates the pros and cons of turf fields,” Warwick Advertiser
• Lerner, Sharon, 2019, “Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found in Artificial Turf,” The Intercept
• Cruden, E.A., Wittenberg, Ariel, 2022, “‘Our community has been deceived’: Turf wars mount over PFAS,” E&E News GREENWIRE

Other Sources:

• 2019, “Is Artificial Turf Safe for Children and Pets?,” megagrass.com Blog
• Davis, Mikhail, 2019, “Three Big Myths About Chemicals in Carpet,” Interface Blog
• 2019, Updated 2023, “Are You Aware Of Your Level of PFAS Exposure Through Everyday Items?,” Secondwind Water Systems, Inc. Blog
   

While turf fields have a lower annual maintenance cost, the long-term investment is still significant, as the fields need to be completely replaced every eight to 10 years at an estimated price of $1.1 million for both fields. A plan would have to be in place to account for this future cost (saving annual maintenance costs, rental income, etc.). 

Turf fields have the ability to host more events without deteriorating as quickly due to weather. Turf fields would also allow us to host more events. 

 Three other teams in the Central Buckeye Conference have turf fields, Bellefontaine, Jonathan Alder, and London. Benjamin Logan is planning to put in turf fields this summer, and Indian Lake and Shawnee are both looking into turf fields, but do not currently have solid plans. 

Other teams in the Ohio Heritage Conference do not currently have turf fields, but some of those districts are interested in exploring turf fields. 

There were no district funds used for the scoreboard at the NE football and soccer fields. The NE scoreboard was constructed with funds from local donations and work donated by local vendors and businesses.

Synthetic Turf Council FAQs