Grass field renovation proposition expected on ballots

The Red Hook Central School District is moving forward with addressing issues of safety and accessibility on its main high and middle school athletic field through a capital project proposition this spring.

The Board of Education at its meeting Thursday announced it intends to add a referendum on the May 20 school budget and board election ballot asking voters if they would support a renovation project utilizing a grass field surface.

The exact components, cost and proposition language are expected to be determined before the board’s March 20 meeting. Broadly, the project will include rebuilding the grass field with a new grass surface, replacing the surrounding track, replacing the perimeter fence and adding led lighting. It will also include an interior renovation component, making it eligible to receive state aid.

In a presentation to the board at the meeting, officials estimated the field component of the proposition would cost roughly $4.9 million, of which around $3.15 million would be covered by state aid. The interior project’s scope and cost is to be determined.

The main field has long been a concern. Years of overuse have rendered the field overly compact, uneven and prone to flooding – which not only causes postponements but also reduces the safety of the surface when in use. Consequently, careful field maintenance has been an ongoing project, and access has been drastically limited in order to keep the field in as good shape as possible. The fencing has several damaged areas, and the track, which has not been resurfaced since 2010, has several large cracks.

The district has presented to voters three previous ballot propositions to renovate the main field in the past three years. With some variations, each called for the construction of a multipurpose space that would include an artificial turf field, lighting, fence repairs and replacement of the track. Voters rejected each proposition, with environmental concerns tied to the artificial surface a common reason cited.

Most recently in October, residents voted down a proposal to renovate the main field while approving a separate proposition to fix two other troubled field spaces with grass surfaces and drainage. Voters also approved a proposition to address interior building issues, including a renovation project for the high school gymnasium.

Since October, the board Facilities Committee has been sifting through options for how to address the main field, which included the possibility of simply repairing the grass surface and surrounding elements without another capital project. That option, though, would cost upwards of $875,000 and not be eligible for state aid; it would also more than likely need additional repairs much more quickly than a full field replacement.

The new direction approved by the Board of Education would give Red Hook students a pristine and accessible playing surface with improved drainage. Its main use would be for football and lacrosse competitions and the track and field team, with other fields and spaces utilized for practices and the physical education department. The district would aim to preserve the surface and protect against the overuse that has plagued the schools’ fields.

The led field lighting, several board members said Thursday, is an important aspect to include in the project as it would allow for nighttime football games and other community events that would inspire school pride and boost the student experience. 

Take a look at the presentation to the board here, and find video of the meeting on the district’s YouTube page.