GORHAM – Gorham voters by a wide margin Tuesday rejected a proposed $3 million project that would have built a stadium with artificial turf.

According to official results released by the town clerk’s office, 1,272 voters opposed the measure while 309 favored the stadium.

Under the proposal, a stadium with lights, bleachers and a building with locker rooms and concessions would have been built on the so-called Chick Property behind the Public Safety Building. The proposal would have also upgraded traffic circulation and added more parking, improving safety at the adjacent Narragansett Elementary School.

If the measure had passed, Gorham would have borrowed the $3 million to be paid back over 20 years, accruing $1,351,875 in interest. The total project with interest would have cost local taxpayers more than $4.3 million.

The stadium would have been home field for Gorham High School varsity teams.

Several voters in an American Journal exit poll pointed to the downturned economy as their reason for not wanting the town to add debt for the athletic field.

“I voted absolutely no on the $3 million field,” said Jeremy Green said. “We can’t afford it.”

“I voted no,” said Matt Rowe, “It’s safer to play on real turf and a lot cheaper to maintain.”

Gorham voters did approve the $31.2 million school budget. The school budget passed, 1,047-517.