Stadium field upgrades 2020-21

Overview

Back in mid-May 2020, we shared information with families and the community on the feasibility study for synthetic turf and an asphalt track at stadium field, as well as updates to the stadium complex to be completed at Central Park. Included in that communication was a form where families could submit questions that would be added to an FAQs document (see FAQs below).

Current project status

As of June 24, 2021, the stadium field and track project is almost complete:

The synthetic turf is almost finished.
In the next few weeks the track will receive its rubber coating and lines.

In August 2021, the stadium field will be open for use. Our new facility will have all field events and a regulation eight-lane track.

Where it began

On Sept. 15, Dr. Troy Urdahl, director of Athletics, Activities, Facilities and Transportation, provided the School Board with a final recommendation for this project at their regular meeting. These recommendations were reviewed and approved by the School Board, with construction starting in early October, 2020.

The majority of the prep and soil work for the stadium field project was completed in the winter of 2020. In April 2021, the construction work will start back up with finish-work aspects of the project, including the track surface, synthetic turf surface, and bleachers.

FAQs

Project completion

Financials, funding

Long-term maintenance funding

COVID-19

Q: How will the school district address the potential need to raise taxes to deal with COVID-related infrastructure needs, so soon after increasing taxes for the turf project?
A: Currently, the district is not planning to request additional levies in the near future. The next voter-approved referendum request would be to renew the current operating referendum and capital projects levy that are scheduled to expire June 30, 2025.

Q: Have you requested an extension to the Hennepin County grant in light of the pandemic and potential economic impact on budgets?
A: Hennepin County continues to be a valued supporter and partner in this work. Within the current timelines, our grant monies will be able to be used fully toward this project.

Q: Has your consultant recommended construction of a solution 2020-21 due to lack of sports activities needing to use facilities during the pandemic?
A: To date, all MSHSL activities are still scheduled for the 20-21 school year. St. Anthony Sports Boosters has made modifications due to the pandemic. Some activities will be temporarily displaced due to construction this fall, spring, and next summer.

Q: Can you please explain the lease levy process and why the community doesn’t get to vote on a proposal to increase taxes?
A: Per MN Statute 126C.40, the law authorizes school districts to utilize a lease levy, which is determined by K-12 student enrollment, and use this revenue to lease space for instructional and curricular purposes. The maximum amount our school district can authorize through the lease levy is $424,000 per year. In the 2019-20 school year, the school district was utilizing $127,230 in lease levy; the cap is $424,000. Districts can use this levy to lease buildings or land, as well as finance construction projects intended primarily for regular K-12 physical education instructional space and after school activity offerings. While voter approval is not required when financing projects through lease levy, school districts must seek approval from the School Board and the Minnesota Department of Education. For example, by partially financing this project through the annual lease levy, the levy amount is estimated to be $350,000; which remains below our authority of $424,000. It is anticipated the annual tax impact in 2021 for a $250,000 home would be under $3.50 per month.

Rental of the complex

Lifespan of synthetic turf and track

Q: What is the actual lifespan of the turf and track (based on other district's experiences)?
A: Based on other district’s use and experiences, we anticipate a life-span of 12-13 years for the synthetic turf.

Q: What are the warranties on both the track and the synthetic turf?
A: The general contractors will provide a 1-year workmanship and materials warranty following substantial completion (estimated to be 8/2021). The synthetic turf will have an 8-year warranty and track surfacing (1/2” poly) will have a 5-year warranty from substantial completion.

New track (specific)

Q: Is this an actual track that will go around the football / soccer field?
A: Yes - an eight-lane track.

Q: Will SANB have its own track team?
A: Yes. Plans are for the high school and middle school to field its own teams in 2021-22.

Q: Why is the planned track surface to be asphalt?
A: The track surface's base will be asphalt with a ½" poly/rubber surface, standard for competitive tracks.

Health and safety; environment impact

Health and safety

Health and safety
Environmental impact

Health and safety

Q: Will this be a dog-free zone? If so, how will that be enforced?
A: Yes. Signage will be posted that pets are not allowed on the stadium field.

Q: Is the crumb rubber infill safe?
A: Crumb rubber has received significant attention regarding safety. It is the primary infill used for synthetic turf and many studies have been done regarding its safety for recreational field’s use.

Q: Is one kind of fill easier to safely dispose of when the field must be replaced?
A: Technologies continue to evolve for synthetic turf, including the ability to reuse and recycle previous materials. The district will request recycling of its synthetic turf when replacement becomes necessary.

Q: Injuries seem to increase with artificial turf, what does your data show?
A: Based on data and expert input, the school district anticipates a synthetic turf surface will be safer than the current natural grass field is able to provide for our youth.

Q: Have you talked to students with experience playing/practicing on artificial turf- specifically, about heat exhaustion (artificial turf is known to cause an island of heat) and skin burns from friction on artificial surfaces?
A: Skin burns were more common on previous generations of synthetic turf. Current versions perform very similarly to natural surfaces. As is the current practice, team functions on very hot days will continue to be monitored. If the monitored heat index on the stadium field exceeds levels recommended for use, the field will not be used until conditions return to allowable levels for play.
Q: Have you considered how having synthetic turf will affect the health of the athletes?
A: Yes. Synthetic turf will provide a safe playing surface for our students, athletes, and community to use.

Environmental impact

Comparison to surrounding high schools

Q: How will this project compare our facilities to surrounding high schools?
A: This project will bring our facilities up to or near to the levels of most surrounding communities. The vast majority of metro-area school districts have at least one synthetic turf and track surface, including Minneapolis, Roseville, Moundsview HS, Irondale HS, Spring Lake Park, and St. Paul.

Q: Have you looked into other districts that have had similar upgrades- what was their outcome and what would they have done differently?
A: The school district’s feasibility study included numerous site visits and conversations with other school districts and consultants for lessons learned. We are excited with the plans we were able to create within the space and budget parameters in place.

Q: Can you provide additional detail/context on what is being done to ensure our amenities meet or exceed those of similarly funded/sized high schools?
A: The timing of this project has capitalized on an advantageous bid market. The school district has a capital plan in place to ensure facilities are well designed and taken care of.

Priority of usage

Accordion

Community access
K-12

Community access

Q: What will community access look like for the track?
A: Daily access as weather and other scheduled events allows.

Q: Will the area of long/triple jump, pole vault and shot put be secured when not used by the track team?
A: Yes.

Q: Will this facility only be used by school and city athletic programs?
A: No - this facility will allow for significant community and youth access, in addition to school programming.

Q: Will the field be open for community use without reservation?
A: For casual, recreational use a permit for use will not be required. Team and group use will require a reservation.

Q: Will the SAV community be able to use the track and/or bleachers for exercise independently (when there isn’t a game going on)?
A: Yes.

Q: Is the area going to be unlocked at all times for the community to use?
A: The field and track will follow Central Park’s hours for use.

K-12

Q: How often will students in K-12 utilize the updated stadium during the school year?
A: Daily, as weather permits.

Q: Will some athletic groups have priority over others in their access to the stadium complex? Meaning football over track, or high school sports over community sports/classes?
A: Physical education classes have the top priority for use, followed by in-season school activities. With additional use available due to synthetic turf’s durability, Sports Boosters teams, community groups, and the public will also enjoy extended opportunities for access.

Q: Will it be able to be used for various school-related activities, such as track-and-field day?
A: Yes - maximizing efficient and safe use of the facility will guide scheduling efforts.

Community group discussions

Additional upgrades beyond current project

Q: Will there be any consideration for covering the field with a dome during winter months like some districts have done to further its use year-round?
A: A dome was not considered at this time - the project’s budget would not have allowed for the consideration of a dome.

Q: Will the practice turf be upgraded as well?
A: Yes! A project synergy will be utilizing the sand / peat soil from the stadium field to provide much needed improvements to the HS/MS practice field.

Q: Will there be consideration for converting other heavily used fields over to turf as well?
A: Not at this time.

Contact

Dr. Troy Urdahl
Director of Athletics, Activities, Facilities and Transportation
612-706-1105
turdahl@isd282.org

Messages and updates sent to staff, families and community