>If you look at the Fields and Rec Master Plan and understand what drove some of the recommendations you will understand why the plan calls for “turf” at both Stevens and the “RHS Stadium.” The committee looked at all sports, not just football. The school administrators, coaches and teams are all very interested in playing as many games in as many sports as possible at all levels “on campus.” Currently the various teams play all over the place, some on substandard fields without available restrooms, locker rooms etc… With the lack of room on Stevens and the Stadium Field the best way for this to be accomplished would be to move the track to BF (increase it to 400 meters like every other HS in America) and “turf” both of the fields. The resulting larger space at the HS Stadium will allow both boys and girls soccer and boys and girls lacrosse games at both the varsity and sub varsity levels to play their games on a quality field in a beautiful setting in front of the HS with access to restrooms, locker rooms, and athletic trainers. It would also allow Stevens to be used for more than just football practice as the resulting damage every fall pretty much makes Stevens unusuable for big chunks of the rest of the year.
There is no way that natural grass would stand up to Varsity, JV, and Freshman games in football, soccer and lacrosse in both boys and girls sports. I think everyone would agree if we had the space and the resources to maintain grass fields to the level they should be maintained we would all choose grass over “turf.” Unfortunately that is not possible with the limited fields controlled by the BOE combined with the number of teams and the number of participants in the various sports and thus “turf” becomes the next option.
