Burrell School Board to receive new estimates for proposed stadium project

The architects for Burrell High School’s proposed Buccaneer Stadium renovation project are scheduled to present new estimates at Tuesday’s school board meeting on the cost to install artificial turf versus natural grass.

“We’ll wait to see what the architects say Tuesday night, mull it over and make a decision during our regular meeting on Nov. 19 whether to advertise for bids for both artificial and natural turf to get accurate numbers,” board President Tricia Shank said.

In August, the school board received preliminary cost estimates between the two field alternatives and chose natural over artificial turf because of a sizable cost difference.

The original estimate for the field renovation with natural sod was about $400,000, while artificial turf was expected to cost $1.2 million to $1.3 million. However, maintenance for natural grass is about four times the cost of maintenance for synthetic turf. The artificial surface would have to be replaced in 12 to 14 years at a cost of about $400,000.

Cost was the main driver for the board’s decision, with school directors concerned about allotting so much money for the stadium turf when there are other projects at Burrell that will need funding.

“At first, we thought paying for artificial turf was not in reach,” Shank said.

But a windfall from refinancing a school district bond, plus learning the cost of artificial turf can be reduced and the public’s interest in having artificial turf, has caused the school board to take a second look.

The public’s interest in the issue resonated with the school board, which heard from parents, the Burrell Flyers youth football organization and others advocating for artificial turf so more community groups could use the stadium.

The longtime drainage problem at the field, which has lost its crown, has prevented more use of the field, because it easily gets muddy when it rains.

“The fact we have so many groups who do use it, we currently overuse our current natural grass,” Shank admitted.

An artificial turf field can help provide a more viable and durable playing surface and would be a draw for community groups like the Flyers that do not currently use the field, she added.

“The booster groups would make more money at the concession stands by hosting more events,” Shank said.

The school board is expected to make a final decision on the field surface in early 2020, she said.

“It looks like affording artificial turf is within our grasp. We just want to make sure we are being responsible with the money we have,” she said.

The board’s agenda meeting starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school board room at 1021 Puckety Church Road in Lower Burrell.