After two months of debate over what to do about the inadequate state of the Warrenton High School football field, the school board last Thursday approved a plan to install artificial turf. The turf promises to broaden the field's use and provide what the district calls "surface certainty" when compared to natural grass. At the end of the debate last week, the decision by the board to go with artificial turf versus natural grass sod came down to an examination of costs between the two and the belief that the expanded use of the new field makes up for the difference in cost. The lowest bid of $709,226 from Munie Greencare includes artificial turf and new goal posts. A major part of the two bids submitted was for installing a new drainage system, which school board members and district officials agree is a necessity in addressing the field's problems. The school district required an eight-year warranty on the project, which requires little maintenance. Superintendent Dr. John Long provided the board, along with staff and community members in attendance at last week's meeting, with what it would cost to replace and maintain the current field with natural grass sod. Long said the cost of natural grass and posts initially would be around $352,800, which includes $280,000 for excavation and drainage, $25,000 in sod and installation costs, $10,000 for new sprinklers, $12,500 for goal posts, along with $25,000 for water, mowing, chemicals and other maintenance for the first year. Adding in $25,000 in annual maintenance expenses for seven subsequent years to compare with turf's eight-year warranty brings the total for natural grass to nearly $528,000. Long cited a research article from a University of Missouri authority citing that sod fields typically must be replaced every four years, adding more to the long-range cost of natural grass. School officials have said artificial turf will add to the district's fuller athletic, fitness and marching band programs, noting that the current soccer field lacks lights and that a new athletic field will enable soccer games to be played at night and with larger seating capacity. When Board President Dale Schowe asked those in the audience in favor of the turf field to stand, an overwhelming majority of the room stood in favor of the synthetic grass solution. Only a handful of patrons stood up as being opposed to the turf project. Earlier in the meeting, a petition with 50 names in favor of the project was presented to the board by Warrenton patron Michael Soots, who told the board he believes community support of an athletic field shows along with the understanding of the broader benefits of the field's usage. "Youth activities mold who we become," said Soots. A representative from Astroturf spoke about the appeal a sturdy "multi-use field," which he defined one in which "if you leave the lights on, the field will be used virtually 24/7." He promoted artificial turf's superior safety features that eliminate divots that can cause ankle injuries. Tied With Refinancing Plan The field turf project will be funded by a plan to refinance the district's $9.8 million debt on major capital projects to take advantage of lower interest rates. Administrators presented two scenarios for refinancing - one that includes the purchase of artificial turf and one without. "Through our refinancing and without borrowing the $750,000 initially set aside for the turf project, we would see an initial positive impact on our general revenue fund of $286,706," said Long, stressing that this figure is roughly $100,000 less than what it was a week ago when the board met and delayed a vote on the refinancing and field turf solution. "In the last week, another school district went to investors with its own lease-purchase program that offered a higher rate of return based on credit ratings. This resulted in the school's investment advisers, L.J. Hart and Company, needing to offer a higher interest rate, which will negatively affects our return. "Incorporating the additional $750,000 for turf purchase, the refinancing will positively affect our revenue by $197,477," said Long, noting that payment will still be lower than what the school currently is paying on its debt. Board member Bill Hawley said he'd done the calculations between the natural and artificial grass alternatives and is convinced the difference in cost will be justified in the field's greatly expanded use.