Ford City Resident Doug Smith asks questions about the contract to Armstrong School District board directors and ProGrass President Robert Thomas and Site Development Director Thomas Rombach (foreground).
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong Junior-Senior High School baseball and softball athletes will compete on artificial turf infields.
A majority of Armstrong School District board directors voted Monday evening to extend contracts to ProGrass, LLC (of Pittsburgh) to install infields at the new nearly-34,000 square foot baseball and 15,800 square foot softball fields in Manor Township.
Both fields would cost about $360,000.
ProGrass President Robert Thomas said the synthetic fields – made up on half-sand, half-rubber – will include an eight-year warranty and maintenance and expertise from their headquarters.
Doug Smith, of Ford City, questioned the life expectancy.
Thomas – a former Ohio university head coach and athletic director – said it all depends on maintenance.
“The life expectancy is primarily based on how well we take care of it. In the minds of many people, they think these require zero maintenance – that is incorrect,” Thomas said. “There is some maintenance that is required, and we as a company will work with your maintenance crews to discuss the proper maintenance and criteria to be aware of.”
That would include sand and rubber around home plate.
For example, Thomas said the Washington Wild Things minor league baseball team decided their players do not wear metal spikes – particularly on their home field, Consol Energy Park (in Washington County) and Jesuit High School’s baseball team in Florida does not use spikes during practice.
“That’s not a bad idea, because sometimes cleats have a tendency to get caught – whether it be natural grass or synthetic,” Thomas said.
Thomas expected cost to replace the field in 10-15 years would be about $175,000.
District Business Manager Sam Kirk estimated the district will save about $7-10,000 per year in maintenance expenses.
However, Board Director Paul Lobby reminded school directors that they were working under the assumption that fields would cost about $150,000, based on advice from architects.
He thought the now-projected $1.7 million price tag for athletic facilities was “a bit much”
“I realize that there are advantages, but I think we have other issues in this district that need to be addressed – educational issues, which is the primary responsibility of this district,” Lobby said. “I think that if we do this, it’s going to leave a bad taste in the mouth of some of the teachers who are teaching at facilities that are not quite as up-to-date as the new high school.
“I think this is a disservice to the students because only a very limited number of students will be able to use those infields.”
Board Director Tim Scaife also voted against the contract, but Board President Joseph Close and four other board members voted for the synthetic infields to make up the 5-2 majority vote.
“I think it’s going to be less maintenance for the most part,” Close said. “The kids will be able to have more playing time on it – they can get on the field sooner.”
School Directors Stan Berdell and James Rearic were absent from the meeting.
Smith also felt the fields should be used by all students, such as through the physical education classes.
“We have 112 student athletes (based on uniform purchases) and we have 1,600 (students),” Smith calculated.
To which Thomas said it very well could be, and by other schools.
“Not only are you going to save in maintenance, you’re going to create a better environment for your athletes to participate on. And you’re going to have people knocking on your door wanting to utilize your facilities,” Thomas said.
Board Director Linda said the fields at West Shamokin High in Rural Valley are used by gym classes regularly.