04/25/2021
đź‘Ź YES and YES đź‘Ź
Do we "need" turf?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rnQHac9qUvMMYhPXXRfy0fs20I1o83xwJCJK1NodSKw/edit?usp=sharing
One question that has been posed to me more than any other about our upcoming May 4 bond proposals follows: “Johnny (for those people who have known me since I was young..), do you think we really need turf at the stadium?”
My answer, I think, surprises them.
The short answer is “no”, we don’t “need” turf at The Nick. However, as Paul Harvey used to say, here’s the “rest of the story”.
Did we “need” to update the field in 1975 (by installing new sod, a sprinkler system, new bleachers and lights)? No. We didn’t “need” to do that. After all, we were already playing football games under the lights on that field. And we had bleachers.
Did we “need” to have the county’s first all-weather track in 1975? No. We didn’t “need” to do that. After all, we had a cinder track our athletes competed on.
Did we “need” to remove the big oak tree located smack dab in center field of our baseball field around the early 1990s? No. We didn’t “need” to do that. After all, we had played baseball at that site, with the tree in center field for nearly 40 years.
Did we “need” to start a boys and girls soccer program in the 1990s? No we didn’t “need” to do that. But there was clearly interest from our community and student body to do so.
Did we “need” to have those soccer teams move from their original “home” field at the Hugh Parker Soccer Complex? No, we didn’t “need” to; we felt it would be nice to have them play on our campus. So we created a soccer field on the football practice field (north and west of our softball field). And did we “need” to have them play at The Nick a few years later? No, we didn’t “need” to; we felt, however, it would be nice to have those athletes be able to play in a stadium atmosphere and under the lights now and again.
The same point could be made about many things we do as a district… Do we “need” computers? Chromebooks? Phonic ear? Devices for staff? I think you get the point.
So, do we “need” turf? I guess in the end, that comes down to how our voters define “need”. In any event, please vote May 4! Go to our website www.corunnna.k12.mi.us to find out more information. You can always contact me via email [email protected] or phone (989) 743-6338 with any questions you may have.
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Other questions that have come my way are what are the benefits of artificial turf at The Nick? Here is some more information that I believe will help clarify those questions.
Increased year-round access regardless of the weather: HS and MS Band (practice and performances), Youth sports (soccer, football) practices, games, and tournaments, All spring sports during “warm but wet” weather, Physical education classes at Louise Peacock, Middle School, and High School, and rainy weather would no longer cause any competitions to be cancelled because of damaging the field surface
Saves on water and maintenance costs The average annual maintenance cost on a grass field =$30,000, while the average annual maintenance cost on a turf field = $5,000. It will also save on wear and tear and repair on machines (mowers, etc.)
Better use of personnel (maintenance department) Hours spent currently on field maintenance can be used elsewhere in the district. We currently average around 6-7 “man hours” per week on the grass field (mowing, painting, etc.). That would be reduced to 1-2 hours per week, therefore freeing up our building and grounds personnel to do other things throughout the district.
Better for the environment No need for harsh fertilizers or pesticides. There’s no need to water the field and zero chance for a water main burst under the field during our frozen winters.
Consistent playing surface regardless of weather No “hidden” potholes, sprinkler heads, or uneven surfaces, which makes is safer for our students. On our website, you can see studies that show how much safer turf is for athletes.
New/increased revenue streams for the district & booster groups A turf field opens up possibilities for more revenue ($15,000-$18,000 annually) because of ability to host the following: Band competitions/showcases, MHSAA soccer, football and track state events, youth (football, soccer) contests, and state (MITCA) track meets, to name a few.
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Hope you all had a great weekend (and will enjoy the rest of today) and remember that young or old, it’s GREAT to be GOLD!
