Notes from the Superintendent

We have received some questions about the cost of maintaining a synthetic turf field vs a natural turf field. It is difficult to separate our specific field maintenance costs from our overall grounds maintenance expenses. However, the overall expense of maintaining natural turf is generally considered to be greater than the synthetic turf expense. That is because natural turf maintenance involves mowing, rolling/aerating, fertilizing, reseeding, and continuous re-striping for athletics contests. Synthetic turf surfaces come pre-striped and obviously do not require any of the natural turf maintenance. The only maintenance associated with synthetic turf is regular use of a specially designed machine that moves over the field surface. With proper maintenance, the latest generation of synthetic field carpets has a minimum life expectancy of about 10 years. There is no difference in liability insurance expense for either type of field that we are aware of.

Another question has to do with drainage. Synthetic turf fields are installed over a surface that has been especially prepared to provide both cushioning and proper drainage. They disburse rainwater much more efficiently than natural turf surfaces and are playable shortly after a rain storm.

We have also received questions about the timing of the project. One of the reasons the proposition is being put forward now is to take advantage of the opportunity to link the WI field to the redesigned WI facilities project and qualify for building aid from the state. In our district, approximately 25% of the approved cost of a project is covered by state aid. Also, the fields could not be installed until the summer of 2008 and the budgetary impact of the borrowing for the installation will not be realized until the 2009-10 school year, at which point we hope our tax base will have improved due to development activity on both the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow waterfronts.