The long overdue new Mt. Ararat High School is now finally within grasp. After patiently waiting years to replace the current high school, the State Board of Education recently approved the concept design and budget for the new high school that is being proposed at MTA and we now move forward to Referendum on March 7.

One aspect of the project that has generated significant buzz is Question 2, which asks voters to approve the installation of a synthetic turf competition field. I can’t emphasize enough the need for a long term, durable and consistent surface that can be utilized by many different entities within the community. Field space is at a premium in our area. Our current competition field only sees activity approximately six months a year. In the other half of the year, the field lies dormant in late-Fall through the Winter and must be left alone in the summer to heal from the academic year.

By the end of each Fall and Spring season, the field is uneven and contains divots and other worn down areas that threaten its safety and in some cases make it unplayable. As a parent of children that participate in Rec and other club sport programs, I also know that field space around our four towns is consistently filled with use throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall, therefore tearing up the grass in those areas as well. A synthetic turf field provides maximum playability and use year-round. The amount of play that a turf field can take equates to play on two-and-a-half grass fields — we would be essentially gaining field space through usage on this surface.

There has been a great deal of discussion about both the cost of installation as well as potential health risks of the surface. While neither of these points should be ignored, it’s very important to put them both into appropriate context in order to allow voters to make an informed decision. The cost to install this surface is proposed to be $649,000 (a significant amount), but it’s important to look at that amount not as an individual bill for each person but rather evaluate it’s real impact that it has on the taxpayer. Depending upon the town you live in, the cost to install the synthetic turf is a matter of a couple dollars per year. Should the district decide down the road to install a turf field after a natural grass field is already in place, taxpayers can expect to pay at least three times more to get the job done. The current cost estimate is based on the fact that the State of Maine is already doing a great deal of the groundwork to prep our new field anyway. This is a BARGAIN price right now to provide a surface that our school can utilize far more than the current field, while also protecting and redirecting resources to the current grass fields that already exist. For pennies a day, PE teachers can get kids outside on the field earlier and more often, cancellations of events on the field become less likely, safety and playability of the surface remains constant and consistent and our school and communities have a home site facility to be truly proud of!

Another talk point with turf relates to its need for replacement over time. Industry standards currently state that warranties on synthetic turf fields are typically approximately 8 years and the overall expected life of turf is around 10-12 years. Keep in mind that a large majority of the data for these lifespan numbers is taken from both urban and rural areas around the country and represents an average lifespan. Fields in large metropolitan areas, which see a much larger rate of play, tend to last on the shorter end of these standards simply because there is greater population and higher demand for fields. On the other hand, a less populated area will get much more life out of their fields through proper maintenance and upkeep. Yarmouth recently replaced their field in the last couple of years after getting 13 years out of the original. That original field in Yarmouth would have been installed in 2001, approximately 20 years before the proposed Mt. Ararat field will be. Taking into account 20 years of industry research, development and innovation, it is reasonable to believe that the new turf field could last closer to 15 years or beyond. Even a grass field, after 15-20 years, runs the risk of needing a full replacement, especially if it continues to be overused as our fields currently are. Replacing a grass athletic field properly costs hundreds of thousands of dollars as well, and also requires significantly more rest time before it is ready. Nothing lasts forever…even grass fields!

A great deal of research has also been done around whether or not one of the infill materials of many of these fields, crumb rubber made from ground up used tires, is safe or if it presents a health hazard. Studies vary in their findings and the federal government has begun looking into the issue in more detail. Whether this particular infill is deemed harmful or not, it is very important to understand that it is not the only potential infill.

While many synthetic turf fields are still being installed with crumb rubber, other products are available including coated synthetic rubber (EPDM), Nike Grind or even organic fills such as coconut husks and cork. The field does not have to be filled with a substance that is of concern. Other options are available and being considered and should not be a deterrent to Question 2.

Communities all across the country are having the same discussions that we are about what is best for the future. I believe synthetic turf will open doors to all types of community activities as well as expand educational opportunities. The communities and the hard working committees associated with this project are dedicated to building a lasting building that meets the needs of our students.

Geoff Godo lives in Topsham.