JHS New Football Field/Stadium Enhancements

ProposalJasper  School  Board

8-­‐25-­‐14

Objective 1Gain  approval  to  conduct  fundraising  for  a  new  ar>ficial  turf  field

  -­‐  Supported  by  community  dona>ons

  -­‐  Work  with  Mr.  NobliH  and  Coach  Ahrens  to  nego>ate  field     naming  rights  to  the  business(s)  or  individual(s),  who  will  fund     the  field

   -­‐  Final  approval  of  funding  and  naming  rights  approved  by  the     school  board.

Objective 2• Request  the  board  to  consider  a  3-­‐5  year  plan  to  improve  the  football  stadium

• Current  stadium  is  approaching  50  years  old• No  formal  entrances• Inadequate,  outdated  restroom  facili>es• ADA  accommoda>ons• The  stadium  and  field  are  not  on  par  with  other  athle>c  facili>es  (Ruxer  Field,  Pool,  Basketball  Fieldhouse,  Tennis  facili>es)• Hundreds  of  our  students/faculty  are  involved  in  our  football/band/track  programs,  along  with  thousands  of  fans.

Overview of Proposed Site Plan

Southwest Entrance

Northwest Entrance

Field/Stadium Project Cost Estimates

• Field  (Phase  I  -­‐  2015)• Ini>al  cost  of  a  ar>ficial  turf  field  -­‐  $7-­‐800k    (New  grass  field  $300k+)

• Expected  life  of  a  ar>ficial  turf  field  -­‐    10-­‐12  years

• Current  cost  to  maintain  our  grass  field/year  -­‐    $30k+  (est.)

• Cost  to  maintain  a  new  ar>ficial  turf  field/year  -­‐  $5k  

• Stadium/locker  room/concessions/entry  ways/pavilion  (Future  Phases  2015  

Who is using artificial turf?• High  schools  -­‐  Harrison,  Evansville  North,  Center  Grove,  Indianapolis  schools,  Southridge,  many  others

• Colleges  –  IU,  Ohio  State,  Cincinna>,  Notre  Dame,  Lucas  Oil  Field,  other  Division  1  stats:

SURFACE # %

 Ar,ficial

Grass

 82

 65%

44 35%

Colleges w/Natural Grass

• 65%  of  NFL  teams  have  ar>ficial  game  or  prac>ce  fields.

Big  East 42%Big  TenBig  12Sun  BeltC-­‐USAMWCMAC

33%30%10%8%0%0%

Why Artificial Turf Field vs. Grass?Player  Safety

• Many  studies  indicate  a  reduc>on  in  injuries  (par>cularly  ankle  and  knee)• Sofer  surface  than  natural  grass  field,  poten>ally  reducing  concussions• Inclement  weather  impact  (ruts,  dirt-­‐grass,  end-­‐of-­‐year  condi>on  of  field)

Reduced  maintenance  costs• Eliminates  the  use  of  chemicals  (pes>cides,  fungicides,  fer>lizers)• Eliminates  fuel-­‐powered  mowing,  aera>ng,  and  re-­‐seeding,  thereby  lowering  the  use  of  natural  gas  and  other  fossil  fuels

• Save  approx.  1  million  gallons  of  water  for  per  year  

U,liza,on  revenue  and  playability  can  increase  for  football,  band,  track,  and  other  special  events

Environmental• Removes  >res  and  rubber  shoe  soles  from  landfill  sites

Southridge Feedback• Cost  of  field  -­‐    $600k

• Maintenance  cost  –  very  liHle;  groom  clean  the  field  once  a  month  and  comb  fibers  and  level  (>re)  pellets.  

• Funding  -­‐    through  school  funding.

• U>liza>on  –  improved  u>liza>on  300%  the  first  year;  band  is  using  the  field  as  much  as  the  football  team;  baseball  and  sofball  in  the  spring.

• Injuries  –  not  really  a  reduc>on,  but  not  increasing;  players  love  the  turf.

Evansville Harrison Feedback• Cost  of  field  -­‐    $800k  –  Sprint  Turf

• Maintenance  cost  -­‐  3  yrs  old,  very  liHle  cost.

• Funding  –    (private  and  EVSC  founda>on)  track,  suites,  walkways,  pressbox  named  afer  contributors.

• U>liza>on  –  don’t  charge  for  use  of  the  stadium,  but  AD  believes  they  should.

• Injuries  –  too  early  to  tell;  trac>on  very  good  even  in  a  driving  rainstorm.

Summary• Benefits  of  ar>ficial  turf

• Reduced  maintenance  ($25k+/year)• Improved  safety• Recyclable  solu>on• Replacement  cost  30%  less  than  ini>al  install

• Community  funded  • Improved,  increased  u>liza>on  of  the  field  (football,  band,  soccer,  track,  etc.)

• Stadium  –  will  help  lead  fundraising,  but  reques>ng  that  the  board  take  

ReferencesBreH  Hein,  SB  Na>on  (www.vanquishthefoe.com)    “Is  Natural  Grass  Dying  in  College  Football”,  Jul  2,  2012

Mike  Kaszuba,  “School  Sports  Turf  is  Ar>ficial,  but  Cost  Concerns  are  Real”,    Oct  20,  2012,  Star  Tribune

Dr.  David  R.  Schuler,  “Synthe>c  Turf  Feasibility  Study”,  Jan  6,  2011,  High  School  outside  of  Chicago

FieldTurf.com,  “Center  Grove  Field  Install,  First  Ar>ficial  Turf  HS  Field  in