Overview and Recommendations - Town of Marlborough, CT
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Board of Education Statement This presentation highlights the problems with the current main track and competition field, and the recommendation to replace and install a new multi-use synthetic turf field. Our responsibility is to provide our children with a safe and reliable playing field to serve as the focal point for RHAM’s major sports programs, and for Andover, Hebron and Marlborough sports programs to use as needed. 2
Yearly Field Usage 350 325 300 318 301 275 291 250 251 225 200 215 Hours 175 180 150 125 100 75 86 50 66 66 25 0 Competition Field 316 Field (South) 316 Field (North) Softball Outfield MS Baseball HS Baseball MS Baseball Softball Veterans Outfield Memorial Park Hours of Use Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) recommends no more then 250 hours of use per year. Data provided from the RHAM Strategic Athletic Facility Master Plan 3
What are the existing conditions? The field has a long history of drainage issues due to original improper construction over 20 years ago. Poor field drainage leads to ponding of water at the track and field interface. Standing water on track surfacing can lead to de-lamination of the surfacing from the base below. 4
What are the existing conditions? The track has reached its expected life span and needs to be replaced. It lacks the recommended safety zone from obstructions from the outside lane line. Track surfacing can only be re-coated 2 times before it is no longer pervious, trapping water under the surface leading to delamination. 6
Why is this project being proposed now? Measures taken over the years to improve the field have not resolved the issues of the field being non playable during the school year. Region 8 School District will have a significant drop in debt obligations due to low retiring current debt. The cost of this project over 10-year bond interest rates will be at an all-time low. It will be a benefit to student education and the communities RHAM serves. 7
What current sports activities are the fields used for? Why a new synthetic field would be better to play on? • The competition field is currently being used, if weather permitting, for football and boys and girls soccer and lacrosse. • A synthetic surface provides a consistent and uniform playing surface no matter how much it is used. • It reduces the amount of use on other natural grass fields on campus. • It minimizes game and practice cancellations due to inclement weather. • There will be improved safety when compared to bare, compacted soils. • A new turf field will allow use by other sport groups in the Region service area. 8
What has been done to date to mitigate the current situation? And why hasn’t that solved the problem? Over the last few years, sand top dressing was added to improve slope and surface drainage, but the perimeter of the field has not been addressed leading to ponding. UCONN scientists took core samples and reviewed area water flow to identify the causes of the field’s drainage problems. These projects have focused on localized areas without addressing the more comprehensive causes leading to poor drainage. Work Completed on the Competition Field to Address Drainage Issues Fall 2015 - Installation of lateral drains - $5,000 Spring 2015 - Core sampling showing that the field was built incorrectly - $5,000 2018-2020 - Raising the crown 5 inches - $7,000 Fall 2019 Sideline Drains - $25,000 Fall 2020 Linear decompaction with sand into aerification slits - $5,000 Summer 2021 Perimeter Drain(this project was postponed $150,000 so that the BOE could pursue the Turf Field project) 9
New Competition Synthetic Turf Field Project Assets • Eight lane running track and field events • Pedestrian and maintenance access • Existing bleachers usable • Visitor bleacher pavement • New security fence • LAX safety netting • Maintenance equipment • Pre-fabricated storage shed • Sports field lights 10
What are the benefits of a synthetic athletic field? • More consistent play compared to natural grass • Early and late season play (wet and frozen conditions) • Added sports programming & participation • Takes best advantage/cost per use of related infrastructure (e.g. bleachers, lights) • Avoids having to purchase and develop additional land to accommodate current demand for fields • Lower maintenance costs/no special maintenance skills • No application of pesticides, herbicides/fungicides and fertilizer • Improved groundwater recharge • No mowing, striping and aeration or topdressing 11
• Night Games to Bring the Community Together • Expanded Youth Sports Opportunities Community • Enhanced Recreation Opportunities for Benefits Residents of All Ages • Attract Families to the Area Looking for First Class Academic and Athletic Programming and Facilities 12
What are the important statistics regarding use, water savings and safety issues? • The new field provides 650 hours of use per year (higher with lights) vs. 250 hours per year grass • Field will be 100% recyclable • Water savings of 360,000 gallons per year for the competition field • A 5-year study comparing synthetic turf to natural grass, concluded: • 66% reduction in neural injuries • 50% reduction in cranial/cervical injuries • 33% reduction in third degree injuries 13
Synthetic Turf Specifications for the Athletic Field • Crushed stone base for drainage and stability • 2-inch high, woven, polyethylene turf carpet with 10-year warranty, 100% recyclable • Blended fibers mimic natural grass aesthetics and playability • 17mm resilient pad, expanded polypropylene underlayment for enhanced safety (lower Gmax and HIC) • Organic particle infill, sustainable, 100% recyclable Organic Particle Infill Typical Cross Section Resilient Pad 14
Synthetic Turf Specifications for the Track • Mill and overlay asphalt base • 8 lane, 400 meter running track with polyurethane base mat (porous system) • High School track event layout & standard markings • Needs to be recoated every 5-7 years based on maintenance and use 15
What type of maintenance is required for a synthetic field? • The estimate life cycle is 12-15 years, but could last longer, depending on usage • The warranty is for 10 years with seam and turf failures covered for that period. • The field is brushed weekly to redistribute infill, sweeping every 100 hours to remove debris. • Sanitation/bacteria treatments are not typically required for outdoor fields due to UV exposure 16
What is the project cost and the estimated homeowner property tax per town for a 10-year bond obligation? The total cost of project will not exceed $3,560,000. The average property tax additional cost per household for: • Andover with a medium $250,000 assessed value will be $65 annually • Hebron with a medium $210,510 assessed value will be $52 annually • Marlborough with a medium $250,000 assessed value will be $71 annually 17
What is the project cost and the estimated homeowner property tax per town for a 10-year bond obligation? The total cost of project will not exceed $3,560,000. The average property tax additional cost per household for: • Andover with a medium $250,000 assessed value will be $65 annually • Hebron with a medium $210,510 assessed value will be $52 annually • Marlborough with a medium $250,000 assessed value will be $71 annually 18
Projected Project Schedule* • November 2, 2021 — Referendum Date • November 2021 — RFP for Consultant Services Early • December 2021 — Kick Off Design • February 2022 — Town Permitting • March 2022 — Final Design • April 2022 — Bidding • May 1, 2022 — Bid Award • July 1, 2022 — Start of Construction • November 4, 2022 — Final Completion (126-Day Construction Period) *Based upon approval of the referendum 19
FAQ’s Did the RHAM Board of Education consider other options for the replacement of the competition field? Replace grass field with new grass field at an estimated cost of approximately $800,000 Purchase land and construct an additional grass field for a total cost of approximately $1,000,000 Would still have to carefully manage field use and would be limited to 250 hours/year compared with 650 to 750 hours/year for a Turf Field. How many days each season lost due to poor field conditions 10-15 days per season for each team are lost in practice or competition due to wet or weather-related conditions that a turf field would remedy. 20
FAQ’s How much will it cost to replace the turf at the end of the field’s 12–15-year lifespan? Current estimated replacement costs range from $500,00 to $767,000 Replacement cost will likely be less expensive as Turf Field recycling plants come online Will the turf field address the current water retention and drainage issues? Yes, the engineered plan for construction of the Turf Field and replacement of the Track includes the site work and drainage pipe installation to alleviate any excess water and drainage issues on the new field 21
Go to https://www.rhamschools.org/athleticfieldproject for additional information about the project. Please join the board of education for online information sessions on the following dates and time: August 16 6:30PM meet.google.com/ids-ucpn-msy Or phone: +1 240-356-1187 PIN: 342 982 851# August 19 6:30PM meet.google.com/jvh-jzkz-cgq Or phone: +1 786-886-2236 PIN: 216 894 566# 22
Board of Education Members Kathleen Goodwin, Chairperson – Hebron Judy Benson Clarke, Vice-Chairperson – Marlborough Jessica Dapsis, Treasurer – Hebron Susan Stolfi, Secretary – Marlborough Lori Blake – Andover Mary Cochefski – Marlborough Mike Morris – Hebron Joseph E. O’Connor – Hebron Robert Schadtle – Hebron Jean Wilson – Marlborough Scott Leslie, Interim Superintendent of Schools RHAM — Regional School District 8 85 Wall St Hebron, CT 06248 (860) 228-9474 rhamhs.reg8.k12.ct.us/ 23
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