The seed planted at the Jan. 10 Clarkston School Board meeting sprouted on Feb. 14, when the board approved ProGrass LLC’s bid of $629,785 to install a synthetic turf field at Clarkston football stadium.
‘I want to emphasize this is a field, if things go right, which will be utilized starting first period in the morning with the physical education classes and go through not only the sports (programs), but the marching band as well,? said Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts during the meeting.
Construction is slated to begin on May 1. Penalties are written into the contract in case the synthetic field is not done by July 15.
‘The (runner-up) bid was within $7,000. When you get bids that close and that tight, the bidding process and specifications were understood and it shows a very competitive bid. We’re looking forward to getting going,? said Executive Director of Business and Financial Services Bruce Beamer. ‘It’s very important to make sure that the field looks right when we are done.?
ProGrass, a company based in Pennsylvania with offices in Troy, was chosen from five finalists. The exact type of turf to be used at CHS is ProGrass AR, which consists of two and a half inch, 100 percent polyethylene-twisted Thiolon fibers tufted into a woven primary backing with a secondary backing of polyurethane. Spread into the ‘grass? of the field is an infill of ‘dirt’comprised by tiny pieces of rubber.
The field will feature a Wolves insignia in the center and permanent lines for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey.
‘That’s a turn key price. Everything is in the bid right down to the numberings and lettering,? said Clarkston schools? Building and Grounds Director Wes Goodman. ‘The (field’s) warranty is for eight years. We are hearing that they can last, if properly maintained, 10 to 12 years,? said Wes Goodman.
In earlier discussions, the estimated cost of replacing the natural grass playing surface at CHS with synthetic turf was estimated up to $800,000.
Also included in the bid proposal are groomer and sweeper tools to ensure the infill is properly distributed and cleaned. According to Pro Grass Sales Manager Todd DeWolfe, the migration of the rubber is minimal.
‘We had a field in Virginia flood earlier in the year and we still did not have to replace any of the rubber,? said DeWolfe.
In the case of tearing or other damage to the field, DeWolfe is also confident the repairs could be made quickly and inobtrusively.
‘Even if I pulled out a brand new piece of turf and put it into a field that was installed five years ago you would not be able to tell the difference,? said DeWolfe.
One Clarkston resident, Steve Heckendorn, raised concerns during the board meeting over where the money is coming from to pay for this project. His worry is operational funds are being funneled into the new field.
The school board, specifically Dr. Roberts and President Karen Foyteck assured Heckendorn that all monies allocated to this project are coming from the 2003 bond. The bond specifically called for upgrades and renovations to athletic fields at the high school. Due to some construction bids coming in under budget, there is enough money available to pursue a synthetic field.
ProGrass has installed synthetic turf fields in nine locations in Michigan including comprable fields at Warren Fitzgerald, Saline and Notre Dame Prep. Since 1997, they have been involved in over 150 sports field projects that range from high schools, small and large college stadiums, governmental projects, and NFL fields, to indoor facilities, golf domes, and numerous design build facilities.