South Portland High School’s new athletic complex will have a natural grass field.

Voters approved a $4.6 million bond for a new field, a new track, new lighting and permanent bathrooms.

South Portland residents had the option to vote for a grass option, a turf option, both or neither. Of the 9,910 residents casting votes, 4,936 supported a stadium revamp with natural grass, while 4,269 voted against — a difference of 667 votes. The turf question was defeated by a wide margin: 6,718 voters rejected that option, while 2,475 supported it.

The city determined the high school’s athletic field, which was built in 1965, needed a revamp years ago. The school made the decision to stop hosting track meets last year due to the poor condition of the surface.

Last year’s $12.3 million failed bond referendum would have included upgrades to the track, a new concession stand, bathrooms and, most controversially, a turf field.

Since then, the debate between artificial and natural grass fields was at times contentious, playing out over the course of several months.

Both options on this year’s ballot were less than half the cost of what was voted down last year, with the synthetic turf option costing the city an additional $900,000 over a natural grass option.

The district estimated that the first year tax impact for a home valued at $500,000 would be $33.17 for the natural grass option and $39.08 for the synthetic turf.

Terry Walker, 50, said Tuesday he voted in favor of a new natural grass field and against synthetic turf because it would cost more and would have to be replaced in about 10 years.

Proponents of the synthetic turf field said it would allow for more playing time and expanded opportunities for various athletic teams and extracurriculars like marching band.

Opponents were concerned about the health effects of toxic chemicals in synthetic turf, the environmental impact of plastics and the higher cost.