Turf in CT
The Rep-Am ran this story (by Jodie Mozdzer) on turf in CT. It mentions two area towns with turf: Wolcott and Southbury.
The most interesting comment to me was "the field ends up saving towns money in maintenance, Monroe and Woodall both said. Maintaining a grass field can cost about $30,000 to $40,000 a year, Woodall said. The turf can cost about $5,000 a year to maintain." Does anyone remember what was said about this publicly in Cheshire? I seem to recall hearing that our current annual maintenance costs were lower than that and the cost to maintain a turf field was higher. This is interesting to me because, if accurate, it begins to answer the question of "lifecycle costs," rather than just the "first cost."
Regardless, I agree with a recent comment made by Breachway about his Dodd-aged daughter getting involved in sports. "She met a new group of kids and expanded her developing social life. This is what youth sports is all about. Giving a kid a chance, thru GAMES, to increase their self esteem, make new friends, work as a team, etc." That was the main reason that I was involved in sports and other extracurriculars at the high school. Although, I also recognize that I'm probably less competitive than many people.
Tim White
13 comments:
If I recall correctly, the current cost to maintain our field was said to be 20k (possibly a little higher than that) according to the AD's presentation to the boe.
Interesting also in that article in the paper was that fields cost up to a million dollars to install.
Our superintendent requested $850K from the state. Does he expect the taxpayers to pony up another $150K or more? The article also questions the injury rate. Users of the turf field admit that hitting the turf (vs grass) is more painful and sliding on it causes burns to exposed skin. One user also suffered a severe ankle sprain. Some users did say they preferred the turf though. It allows you to have slightly more speed. Is it worth the injuries? And would other sport groups using the field have to wear long sleeves and long pants?? Might be uncomfortable in the heat, you think?
The article also said the life of the turf is 8 to 15 years. Mr. Altieri said, when asked, that replacing the turf down the road would cost approx $300K. It might be even more than that.
So if it costs $150K ($850K thru the state-which is really our tax dollars) and $5K a year to maintain then after 10 years that's $500K ($150K plus 50K to maintain for 10 yrs plus $300k minimum to replace after 10 years). If it costs currently $20 - $25K/yr to maintain our field that's $200 to $250k over ten years. It doesn't take a genius to realize that this turf field idea is going to cost the taxpayers more money over the long run.
Turf is a bad idea. We could probably put in new sod for less. Altieri's agenda is to get the turf and the baseball fields. He coaches baseball so of course he's in favor of any sports requests.
9:24... thanks. your numbers look very reasonable.
And how about this... if the "days available for use" increase from 30 days to 200 days, then could we charge groups for those 170 days?
For instance, your cost differential is $300k over ten years ($500k - 200k). Then we multiply 170 days x 10 years and get 1700 days.
300k / 1700days = $176/day
Would groups pay $176 per use?
And could we get the initiators of this proposal to go back to the original proposal of raising the money through private means? (Keep in mind... there are two capital costs... initial costs and replacement costs.)
I realize this discussion would be far more complicated than this... just mentioning it for discussion purposes. I like the idea of private orgs helping pay for stuff (i.e. CYB)
As well, I realize many groups would be school groups. But it also seems as though there are adult leagues that use these turf fields in other towns.
The risk is not different on the new style turf as compared to grass. It doesn't burn like the old turf and it can be used 24/7/365.
I am not sure that we need it, but we should have the facts right.
Hey Tim...what does the YMCA pay to have the before and after care programs in the school....or I guess i just want to know if they pay anything?
We don' need turf, let play in a parking lot.
Its about time Altieri fesses up....
Last year he tried to sneak the turf thing in to the requests for state funds.
Then he didn't reveal his conflict of interest with the little league deal until forced to do so...
And as a union negotiator for a teachers union he CONSTANTLY lobbies for more education money and against any changes to the bene's that public union people get.
And isn't there another member of the Council whose brother is the FOOTBALL coach? No conflict there either!!!!!
Your right we should shoot the two of them at high noon.
I am confused, is the town putting turf down. Because to spend $850k doesn't the public get to vote? I don't think it was on the ballot last year, was it? Has it been proposed that it be paid for out of Cheshire's budget? Or is this project like the high school track that the Republican council pushed through with out the public voting by speading out the expenditure over two years? Or the pool the the Republican counicl started to build knowing that it could not be completed with the funds available?
No there is no turf project. But a linear trail the the Republicans wanted to build (and still do)that cost much more than the turf is OK with them. Maybe the trail could make a stop at the field.
Breach... I emailed the Superintendent. I'll post the answer when I get it.
4:25 It's "You're" not "Your"
4:35 The turf is Altieri's pet project that he's trying to sneak through the back door. $850K has been requested through the State, but with a cost likely to be more than that, the taxpayers will get stuck with the remainder and the future costs. BTW - the BOE never approved the turf idea and they are supposed to vote on items that effect the budget.
It is similar to the dems and the $375K smart board request. The voters were supposed to decide on that one but it was reduced so that it would avoid being put out as a referendum question.
Breach... direct from the Superintendent:
"The YMCA paid $9,880 to the BOE/Town last year for various programs that are run in the schools."
4:57 There is no possible way you can defend republican spending in this town. They have done, for years, just what they wanted to do. It took the dems. to stop the wasteful spending of the reoublicans. There is not a fiscal conserative amoung them. The track, the pool, the linear park, etc. the list never ends. That is why this town has one of the highest debt service payments in the state.
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