Capital improvement proposal FAQs

Why are building improvements and athletic facility improvements combined in one proposition?

The district believes each project covered in Proposition 3 is of equal importance, with most projects addressing areas of safety in instructional spaces. The gymnasium, track and athletic field shared by Red Hook High School and Linden Avenue Middle School are used by physical education classes in addition to athletics teams, and improvements are needed to insure they are accessible and safe for students of all abilities. The field and gym bleachers are currently out of compliance with the American Disabilities Act.

Why can’t the existing natural grass field be repaired?

District staff has been repairing the field for years, evening out divots and growing fresh grass. After decades of use, the dirt has become too compact for small fixes and needs to be replaced in some way.

Would the artificial turf field only be used for football?

The district plans to create a multipurpose educational and athletic field, not simply a football field. It would be lined for multiple outdoor sports, including soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and football, and also be used by physical education classes. Between the durability of an artificial field and the proposed field lighting, the district would get more than twice as many hours of use out of the field, making it possible for community sports organizations to use it too.

Isn’t a grass field the cheaper option?

While it is less expensive initially to install a grass field, the district estimates it would cost roughly $58,000 more per year than turf to maintain it. Over the life of the fields, grass is estimated to be equal to or slightly more expensive than turf, and savings increase as the years pass.

Is the purpose of installing artificial turf simply to help Red Hook’s sports teams compete?

While an artificial turf field will help the Raiders become more comfortable playing on the surface, which creates generally faster games and is used at most opposing schools and most playoff venues, safety is the district’s primary concern. The compact dirt of the old natural field is harder and more uneven than an artificial surface, which likely creates a higher risk of injury. The field also slopes down from the surrounding track, making it inaccessible to certain populations of students, and drainage grates are located at corners of the grass field not far from the playing surface.

What company would install the turf?

The district does not have a company or product selected and cannot do so for any of its projects until voters approve the proposition. If it is approved, the district will hire an architect to create plans for the field, and a product will be selected that is both environmentally conscious and fiscally responsible. Artificial turf technology has made great strides in recent years to reduce fields’ environmental footprint and improve athletes’ safety, and the district is eager to see how much it will continue to advance before a product is selected.

What will happen to the turf in the future?

Artificial turf fields have a roughly 15-year lifespan. The lifespan of the infrastructure under the field, including cushioning for the athletes, is much longer. When the turf itself has reached the end of its life it will be recycled and replaced. Because the infrastructure would remain intact, replacing the turf would be expected to cost far less at that time – and less than the cost of installing a new grass field.

Why does the gym need new bleachers?

Each improvement planned for the gym has safety and accessibility in mind. The floor and bleachers are original to the building, installed in 1963, and the bleachers are out of compliance with the ADA. The floor is puckered and pieces have been nailed back together over the years. Removing the stage area reduces the possibility of an athlete being injured in a collision with the apron.