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The board voted unanimously to accept the donation at its meeting Monday night. Friends of Pelham Sports privately raised $1.3 million to build the field at the Glover Field complex. The fully constructed artificial turf field will be used for games and practices by interscholastic and recreational teams. It will be the community’s first synthetic turf field.
Friends of Pelham Sports was formed in 2010 to provide financial and other support to improve athletic programs and facilities in Pelham. The field is the group’s first project.
The district will create a design plan, which will be sent to the state education department for approval. If approved, the project will then go out for bid. The donation is expected to cover the full cost of the project. Construction is expected to begin in June in order for the field to be ready by September.
The district anticipates the new field will save approximately $25,000 per year in maintenance costs. These savings could be set aside in a designated field replacement reserve fund, according to the district. The average life expectancy of synthetic turf fields is 10 to 12 years. At the end of the field’s life, the fund could be used to replace the turf field or establish a grass field, according to board member Will Cavanagh of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
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