The price tag of the new Collinsville High School artificial turf athletic field has increased more than 30 percent since the project was proposed in May.
Construction is now expected to cost $1.73 million, according to the latest figures from designer FGM Architects Inc.
The numbers were revealed in a Collinsville school board Budget Committee meeting Monday. The three-member committee voted 2-1 to recommend looking for a construction company to work on the project. Board member Gary Kusmierczak voted against the measure; Ron Throm and Wayne White voted for it.
The full school board is scheduled to discuss the plan on Monday.
Kusmierczak is opposed to financing the field solely from district funds without any private or community contributions. He also cited longevity and safety concerns of an artificial turf field.
The project was originally supposed to cost around $1.3 million.
The proposal calls for the excavation and installation of an artificial turf field for $988,000 and the resurfacing of the track for $200,000. Other costs include the installation of wider sidewalks and 946 additional bleachers.
The price tag does not include a scoreboard, which Collinsville High School Athletic Director Chris Kusnerick said could cost about $150,000, bringing to the total cost to more than $1.87 million.
The average cost to excavate and install a drainage system and turf field is $750,000, according to the company that installed the turf fields in Edwardsville, O’Fallon, Waterloo and East St. Louis. Artificial turf is comprised of a green carpet-like monofilament material applied over rubberized backing, according to Don Bolinger, president of construction services at ATG Sports, based in Andover, Kan.
Kusmierczak said one of the concerns with an artificial turf field is that it retains heat. Bolinger said it is true that turf fields get hotter than grass fields, but only at the point where it would be too hot for a game or event.
“When you start talking about a significant temperature difference, it’s going to be when its 100-plus degrees outside,” Bolinger said.
Bolinger said the advantages that artificial turf has over grass include safety, usability and maintenance. He said turf fields are softer and absorb shock better, are endurable and strong enough to sustain constant wear and tear and costs about $1,800 a year to maintain. Bolinger said the average cost to maintain a grass field is $55,000.
The Edwardsville School District spends about $2,500 a year for maintenance, according to Assistant Superintendent David N. Courtney Jr. The field, which was installed in 2008 and cost $732,413, is used for band practice, sports practices and games.
Waterloo schools Superintendent James Helton said the district spends about $1,000 a year on maintaining its artificial turf field, which was installed in 2009. The district spent $1.3 million for the turf field and new track and baseball/softball fields. He said the turf field is used daily for band practice, physical education classes, and sports practices and games.
“Feedback has been excellent,” Helton said in an email. “In our first year, the rains ruined several football fields in the Metro East; we had zero problems.”
Contact reporter Ramona C. Sanders at 618-344-0264, ext. 136
Our earlier story:
The proposed cost for the new Collinsville High School artificial turf athletic field has increased to $1.7 million from the original $1.3 million proposed in May.
The proposal by FGM Architects was presented to the school board's budget committee on Monday. The $1,729,805 price tag does not include a scoreboard, which district athletic director Chris Kusnerick said could cost about $150,000, bringing to the total cost to more than $1.87 million.
The three-member budget committee voted 2-1 to recommend beginning the bidding process. The proposal will be discussed by the full school board on Aug. 15. As with the original proposal, board member Gary Kusmierczak voted against the measure.
The proposal calls for the excavation and installation of an artificial turf field for $988,000 and the resurfacing of the track for $200,000. Other costs include the installation of wider sidewalks and 946 additional bleachers.
