Turf Committee moving forward with fundraising to “Get Turf”

Organizational Structure and Engineering Contract Complete
September 9, 2011
by Jim Nottingham

The Chappaqua Turf Committee, known as TC2, is striding towards providing a state-of-the-art illuminated artificial turf field for the Chappaqua Central School District (CCSD) Competition Field at Horace Greeley High School.

As a committee of the Greeley Sports Boosters, TC2 has worked with school district personnel to set the parameters for operation, engineering firm selection and field installation. Having completed all earlier aspects of this project, TC2 is ready to initiate the strategic fundraising campaign that will make this field a reality.

TC2 is committed to raising the two million dollars needed to bring the school district athletic facilities on par with schools in surrounding communities by the fall season of 2012. Ossining, Armonk (Byram Hills), Mount Kisco (Fox Lane), Yorktown, Somers and a number of other school districts have artificial turf fields and lights. Some privately funded, but most installed with public district funds. Due to the economic reality facing CCSD, TC2 approached the school board with a simple question, “If we raise the money for an illuminated turf field at no district cost, would you accept the gift and build the field?” The response was “Yes.”

TC2, having done significant research on the full range of issue including health and safety, types of turf, lighting, and the economics of artificial turf, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CCSD. Under the agreement, TC2 will supply the funds needed to bring the project to completion by the target date of fall 2012 without the use of any district funds in the process or project. Although raising two million is a formidable task, TC2 is convinced that this goal is attainable in the timeframe because the project makes sense economically and ecologically.

Currently the Competition Field is grass, but is often unavailable due to rain that renders the field unplayable. The spring season, usually most affected by weather, sees the district spending thousands of dollars to bus teams to neighboring artificial field to prepare for the season.  So far this fall is giving even the wettest spring season a run for that title and this week’s rainfall on top of the amount dumped by Hurricane Irene, has most fields soaking wet. This condition is not only dangerous, but also runs the risk of ruining the fields—which the district incurs the cost of refurbishing.

Transforming the Competition Field into a turf field would reduce maintenance costs by approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per year, in addition to other savings that would result from not having to transport teams to artificial turf fields to practice when the Greeley fields are closed due to bad field conditions and inclement weather. Turf, in this instance, represents a double savings because the rental fee for outside field use would be unnecessary.

But the best reason for an illuminated turf field is the ability to have more athletic competitions and practices under better conditions. Use would not be limited to the teams that play on the field at present, since even teams that will not play on the field, such as baseball and softball, will be able to have certain practices. Fielding, shagging fly balls and running drills are a few of the exercises that can be conducted on turf.  Field Hockey that currently plays matches up at the pole barn field can use the field for practices and games.

Light installation will increase field use and allow maximum use of the field. Current field use is limited to daylight hours, particularly problematic in the late fall and early spring seasons when daylight is in short supply.  While state-of-the-art lighting uses technological developments in bulb and fixture manufacture and computer modeling to reduce light spill, TC2 still advocates a light curfew that calls for the light to be shut off around eight or nine the evening. In all matters the school board and district administration will set the policies for field use, lighting and related matters.

In the research process, the committee became aware of two community-wide benefits it had not considered. Several turf field consultants pointed out that the illuminated turf field makes it accessible to special needs students and persons and provides a safer environment for those walking the track in the evenings.

Summing up, decreased maintenance costs, out-of-district field use fee savings, substantial reductions in bus use (fewer greenhouse gas emissions), and more practices, games and events are the economic, ecological and rational reasons behind the effort.

After the TC2 and the CCSD Board of Education executed an MOU in August, TC2 turned to the engineering requirements. The WBA Group of Branford, CT was the firm selected from the three firms that submitted bids for the project.  This firm, which has guided the installation of a sizeable number of fields of this nature in the area, comes with an impeccable project record.

The CCSD School Board, which by law must be the entity to sign contracts involving school grounds and construction, voted Thursday evening, September 08, 2011, to sign the contact keeping the project on track. TC2 raised the funds to provide payment for the contract’s execution through the first two major phases of the engineering work. This work keeps the project rolling, but is necessary to keep the timetable intact for field installation at by the 2012 fall. Phase three of the contract is not triggered until construction begins.

The funds for phase one and two of the project are already in the coffers of TC2’s Booster   The seed money raised from several sources, including Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club and Greeley Youth Lacrosse, covers the contract fee.  Although many erroneous statements and inaccuracies that have flooded the public discourse on this matter, as agreed in the MOU, no district funds will be used to build this field. TC2 will gift this project to the district.

In addition to the school board and administration, the committee intends to work and collaborate with all organizations dedicated to the betterment of the school district, such as the PTA and CSF, the sports organizations and the community at large. Understanding that there are those who are against the installation of this field, TC2 is trying to be respectful of that position by doing everything possible to eliminate or minimize objections. The goal is to do something that unifies.

Right now, TC2’s goal is clear – raise two million and Get Turf! The committee is getting ready to launch the turf fundraising campaign that will court significant large-sum donations as well as participation programs at lesser amounts.  They will present the proposed recognition programs Quaker Way and Quaker Wall to the board for approval. One is a brick walkway from the parking lot to the field entrance that will display the names of donors. The other is a retaining wall (along the walkway) that will display the names of donors at the different levels of contribution.

TC2 expects widespread fundraising participation from an assortment of sources - sports leagues, associations, teams, families and individuals. The “Get Turf” campaign will launch as soon as the website, collateral materials and donor programs are in place. The formula for success is

TC2 = More Games, Greater Access, Less Weather Impact and Field Maintenance Savings.

Jim Nottingham, President

Greeley Sports Boosters

Co-Chair - The Chappaqua Turf Committee

Greeley Sports Boosters, a 501(c) (3) is the officially recognized parent support group for interscholastic sports at Horace Greeley High School and modified middle school sports. The Boosters’ mission is to encourage and enhance the sports experience and student participation in all sports. The Chappaqua Turf Committee is a sub-committee of the Boosters.

TC2 will be opening a website shortly to enable us to communicate with the community.