Talawanda High School Field of Dreams

The Talawanda School District (The District) passed a bond issue in November of 2008 to build a new high school facility. While the bond issue included funding for a new competition field, it did not contain funds for the installation of synthetic turf.

A coalition of concerned parents, boosters, teachers, band directors, and coaches have organized and formed The Field of Dreams Committee (The Committee). The Committee with the support of the Board of Education, the Talawanda Athletic Boosters and the Talawanda Band Boosters, among others, has begun a fundraising drive to raise the funds necessary to install a synthetic turf field at the new high school – “The Field of Dreams”.

The new high school building, opening in the fall of 2011, will be a state-of-the-art facility. The Committee seeks to ensure that the external facilities in the new high school complex match the quality of the new high school building.

The Case for “The Field of Dreams”

A synthetic field will provide an all-purpose, multi-use, all-weather, safe, durable and affordable new multi-purpose community complex. A synthetic turf field will dramatically impact our District and Community for the following reasons:

Usage and Unrealized Opportunities

Currently, Bowers Field is Over Used by 353%. THS Bowers Field hosted 53 athletic competitions in 2008. Industry experts suggest that to maintain a quality surface, no more than 15 events should be played on a natural grass field in a year. Accordingly, THS Bowers Field’s 53 events amounted to a 353% usage rate over the 15 events recommended for a natural grass field. The fact, THS Bowers Field’s usage has been limited exclusively to athletic competition. THS Bowers Field has not been available to the District’s athletic teams or the marching band for practice purposes. The field has also not been available for physical education classes, community groups use or rental opportunities.

Potential Use is 27 Times Greater than for a Natural Grass Field. Installation of synthetic turf at the new multi-purpose community complex will provide the District with the potential to host annually 403 events versus the 15 annual uses recommended for natural grass. This is a 2,687% increase in the number of competitions that can be hosted at the new high school site.

Unrealized Usage Opportunities is 85 Times Greater than that for a Natural Grass Field. Installation of synthetic turf on the new multi-purpose community complex will provide the District with the potential to host annually 1,274 events verses the 15 annual uses recommended for natural grass. This is a 8,493% increase in the number of unrealized opportunities that can be hosted at the new high school site. This includes among other things: athletic practices, band competitions and practices, high school physical education courses, community requests, and rental opportunities.

Safety/Playability

Consistent Surface – The usage of synthetic turf can enhance player safety and reduce the amount of injuries. The chance of player injury is reduced by 60% because of the consistency of a synthetic turf field. Concussions, shoulder separations, ankle and knee injuries are reduced substantially on synthetic turf as compared to natural grass. Modern synthetic turf today is more cushioning than natural grass. Synthetic turf is not as slippery as natural grass when wet; cleats do not lock in the turf; meaning ankle and knee injuries are not the issue they once were. A synthetic turf field will allow our practice grass fields to stay in better shape, making them safer.

Weather – Having a synthetic turf field enables an event to occur as scheduled under any weather conditions. The durability of synthetic turf means that all events scheduled on the synthetic turf field won’t be subject to cancellation due to the impact of the weather on the field. A synthetic turf field’s rapid drainage and durable soft carpet provide a safe, consistent surface, ready most any time, most any use for practices, games, band, cheerleading, physical education classes and other school and community events.

Costs

Maintenance – The District will pay less to maintain a synthetic turf than it would to maintain a natural grass field. The average annual cost to maintain synthetic turf is $5,000; while the average annual cost to maintain a natural grass field is $40,000, based on industry research. A synthetic turf field is constructed with recycled materials and does not require watering or grass chemicals.

Potential to Generate Rental Income – The District can generate rental income if it has a synthetic turf field. Annual average income from rental of a synthetic turf field ranges between $25,000 and $40,000, based on industry research. A natural grass field at the new multi-purpose community complex will not generate any rental income. Currently, the District generates no rental income from THS Bowers Field. A synthetic turf offers excellent potential for field rental to teams and community groups. The durability of synthetic turf means the District need not worry about damage to the field whatever the weather and renters need not worry about cancellation of their scheduled event.
 
Let’s Build “The Field of Dreams”.

Installing a synthetic turf field is typically a 10 to 12 week process. In order to have “The Field of Dreams” ready in time for the 2011-2012 school year, the Committee is now accepting tax-deductible pledges and gifts from alumni, parents, Athletic Boosters, Band Boosters, other Field of Dreams supporters, as well as, area businesses and community foundations interested in the quality of our schools and community. Opportunities for giving will be in the form of cash contributions, gifts-in-kind, and gifts-in-service. Donors will receive recognition commensurate with the level of their contribution and consistent with District policy.

Your contribution and those of other “Field of Dreams” supporters will ensure that the external facilities at the new high school complex match the quality of the new high school building. Help us reach our goal by making a pledge of your support today!