Tuesday
MV School Committee/Divided On Turf vs. Grass
2/5/19
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School District Committee voted last night on playing surfaces to rebuild the school’s athletic fields.
The Martha’s Vineyard Gazette says the committee voted 5 to 4 to use artificial turf for the main field inside the track.
Approximately 150 people attended the meeting to voice their opinions on the turf or grass debate and, like the committee’s final vote; people were divided on the issue.
Some folks expressed concerns about any environmental impacts from artificial turf since the high school sits atop the island’s aquifer.
In the end the committee narrowly voted to accept the recommendation of Consultants at Huntress Associates that the project should use a combination of artificial turf and grass.
A major stumbling block moving ahead with the project, however, is the cost. Phase one, including the track and main infield plus rehabilitation of one grass field is estimated to cost 4.3 million dollars with the total project estimated to cost 11 million.
At this point there is reportedly no clear plan on where the money will come from.