from http://turf.uark.edu/turfhelp/archives/021109.html

Maintenance

It is a myth that synthetic fields require less maintenance than natural turfgrass fields or to say that artificial turf fields are maintenance free. Synthetic fields require 1) additional infill, 2) irrigation because of unacceptably high temperatures on warm-sunny days, 3) chemical disinfectants, 4) sprays to reduce static cling and odors, 5) drainage repair and maintenance, 6) erasing and repainting temporary lines, and 7) removing organic matter accumulation. In a recent presentation by the Michigan State University, Certified Sports Turf Manager, she cited that the typical annual maintenance costs of her artificial turf fields ranged from $13,720-$39,220, while the typical annual maintenance costs of her natural turf fields had a similar range of $8,133-$48,960 (1).

Long-term costs

Long-term costs are less with natural turf fields compared to synthetic turf fields. Artificial fields need replacing every 8-10 years, whereas a natural turf field does not need as frequent renovation and can be renovated at a much reduced price compared to an artificial field. In a 16-year scenario, Fresenburg came up with an annual average cost for each field type as follows: the natural soil-based field, $33,522; the sand-cap grass field, $49,318; the basic synthetic field, $65,846; and the premium synthetic field, $109,013 (2).

Disposal costs

When artificial turf (in-fill systems) needs renovating every 8-10 years, there is a hidden cost of disposal. Because the field is filled and top-dressed with a crumb rubber material (typically made from ground automobile tires), the material may require special disposal. Disposal costs are estimated at $130,000 plus transportation and landfill charges (3).

(An issue that Pratley discussed at the meeting was how the facility would ultimate save money for the district’s general fund. Marston said that if district voters were to pass a bond, then it would cover several items that the general fund currently pays for. Among those items, he said, are football field maintenance, bus purchases, and technology upgrades.)

So if we build this at a cost of twenty six million ( just an estimate and I belive that all estimates are low ) then we open the doors and where dose the money come from to maintaine this facility?

Let me guess we all have to pay a fee for use, or have another millage to cover that cost.

Is this as good as some want us to belive and where dose the saveings come in all I see is continued costs.

This seems like a very expensive way for the community to pay for the new stadium and visitor bleachers that the booster club has been spouting about for a couple of years now.

Outside of that, wasn't the pool recently renovated? Isn't half of the maintenance for the pool paid for by the community currently because it is open to the community? We have a very nice pool, a great football field and have a new soccer field. What good does it do the community to have an 8 lane track? Yes, we would be able to host MHSAA tournaments but would the attendance of that event pay for the overall cost of this 'community center'? New baseball and softball fields are not necessary either, renovate the ones we currently have and fix them, it certainly wouldn't cost $26 million for that.

I applaud Mr. Pratley for wanting to better our community and to have big dreams but I really think the price tag on this is a bit too much for the benefit seen. We have students in middle school who can not take books home because they 'book share' and we want to spend 26 million dollars on athletics? Ogemaw County had a median household income of $33,151, that is $15,000 less than the median for the state and while there are many that are above that number, it does not mean they wish to pay more in taxes.

What happened to the site development committee? Perhaps the booster club should have remained for all sports and not just football.

$25,980,000 dollars is ALOT of money! Declining enrollment, declining State Aid, Declining Property Values, how does this all add up to spending $26,000,000 ADDITIONAL dollars on a "Community Center"? My kids will all attend OHHS. I use the pool for lap swim, my daughter is on the swim team. I personally would like to see that nicer- but it is quite functional as is.

I would say as a community, we pass on a Taj Mahal of a project like this at this time. If each proposed addition is truely worth it and valuable to the community, then we tackle them one at a time- NOT with a massive tax increase and spend.

Also- why are these plans not available for public viewing/comments PRIOR to the School Board vote on bond proposal?

Bob: That is the way certain individuals in the WBRC district want it to be and until a stop is put to it, it will continue to be that way.

Your comments are very insightful. I wish you would write a letter to the Editor as I think many more people read the Herald rather then looking on line. Please take the time to do this as I am very worried about the direction athletics is taking at OHHS. I feel that we are being short changed with an AD who is also the football coach. Many of the other sports are taking a back seat especially when the football program funnels big bucks into their program via their Football Booster Club!!

Declining enrollment + declining state aid + declining property values does not = voting yes on a bond for a community center. We do not know what the state of our economy is going to be over the course of the next few years, how can we be thinking about adding more taxes when so many people are losing their homes to tax foreclosure and bank repossession, wouldn’t we just be adding to the problem?

Just curious as to why everyone is focusing on one area of this bond proposal. It isn't just athletic facilties, although most of them are a joke. The bond also addresses the kitchen that's too small and outdated, a bus garage that's too small and outdated, technology upgrades that are so badly needed because the district is so far behind where they should be that it's pathetically embarrassing, and furnishings and equipment. Does no one care about these things? The district's hands are tied if the community refuses to pitch in. However, there's no doubt that the community will continue to expect and expect that the teachers, coaches, and administrators in the district work miracles (and make the exact same decisions that Joe Public would make or else they're obviously idiots). People not familiar with the education system want to talk about "academics first." Well, guess what. Kids don't go to school drooling about the next text book they get to read. You have to get them to WANT TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. Those kids go to school in a run-down, crummy building because no one seems to care enough to make it better for them. "It's not the right time." "We can't afford it." "We don't need that." "It's a good idea, but...."

At what point is anything that might cause a little change (God forbid) worth doing? Will this community forever be the kind of community that refuses to move forward? If that is the case, don't ever expect WB or RC to become anything more than what they are right now.

there are also comments under another article this website -- community center

I will not vote for an artificial turf (which isn't any better, anyway) when the buildings need significant renovation or need to be razed and rebuilt, and the teachers are overwhelmed with large classes without sufficient aid all these pressing issues existing are why so many of us are flabbergasted at the amount involved - to what end??

knowall--

The things you mention are indeed problems that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, until the state and federal governments can get their proverbial crap together, it's not going to get much better--in any district.

I think the comments are related to the "community center", as that is the topic of the article in which to "post a comment".

The wish list in which the discussion pertains to is extensive, and my main questioning is before everyone gets emotional one way or the other, to really scrutinize this type of a project. Everything written to date (by Herald) is a very high end wish list. The goal is most likely to shoot for the moon, then back down the project to a "reasonable" level. $26,000,000 is alot of taxpayer dollars. Questions like what the maintenance will be after construction are very valid. I think there needs to be much more of a reasonable (modest) plan than has been publicized.

A decision to include this as a bond proposal in less than 3 weeks is most likely foolhardy without much more public information. The School Board should really consider the public perception of this type of community center- especially if there are additional needs for books/technology/general facility maintenance. If not...no way a bond will be passed. The "community center" will sink the rest of the necessities the district may need.

Closeing parts of buildings, overcrowed classrooms, cutting support staff, children paying to play sports for our community, not to mention unemployment and riseing taxes, and you want how much money for "bigger better prettier" ...............give me a bond issue to reinstate programs and jobs previously cut, or to support our young athletes who must pay $150 for the Privilage to play sports, or to use the new class rooms that will set empty this year and we'll talk business.

Bob--While I'm not in complete agreement with you on everything, I definitely can see that you are thinking with a level head, which is respectable and what we as voters should be. Also, the board isn't voting to pass or not pass this. They're simply voting on whether or not to let the PUBLIC vote on it in May. Basically, they're going to say whether or not we get to decide the issue. And I agree, I want to see some drawings so we know exactly what we're dealing with here.

At a time when many people are looking at their property tax statements and wondering how to come up with the money to pay the taxes in the next couple of weeks do you think a 26 Million dollar bond proposal is going to fly? I think many of these people that live on tax dollars are a little out of touch the financial reality that most of us live with on a daily basis. They just do not seem to understand that we are not selfish, we just do not have any more to give.

Still have not fully recovered from the shock of the headlines but have determined this whole initiative is likely dead in the water before/if it gets voted on in May.

If any board member(s) is/are seriously thinking of putting this on the ballot you should consider whether future community members can pay off such a debt. Our (local) factories that haven't closed are not running anywhere near capacity and their total employee numbers and full time equivalents are generally down. The hospital is struggling financially, as is the State of Michigan. Across the nation, some local governmental units that floated bonds years ago are defaulting on or near default on these debt instruments. The retirees from the auto companies eventually will not be here (Ogmeaw County) and most of the kids who graduate will not be employed in this area after graduation. Need to also consider there is most likely an income tax increase coming next year (2011) through the federal government when the current tax cuts expire. The county just took on a large debt for the new jail. and on and on.........

tell me if you chose to get this voted down you put in junk like this football field. it is more upkeep than grass and more injury and yes the kids need more than fast cars and sex maybe we can save on less welfare baby's and it is for older people also hole families can get involved. who knows maybe some of these kids can actual learn some respect for there elders. lets talk about the some of the really good things in this project look up for a change the world is so much brighter------ let me close with good memories last much longer than money

Ever think about focusing on EDUCATION instead of SPORTS???????????

I think that is WHY a school exists!

EXTRAS such as sports are just that EXTRAS

And.........let's get brave folks, put this on a NOVEMBER BALLOT, not a MAY ballot!

I find it convenient that this proposal has been slated for the May school election, which notoriously has poor voter turnout, rather than the November general election. It seems to be a case of a few misguided individuals trying to pull one over on the general public.

Having attended several events at OHHS, I understand that some facilities are in need of an overhaul. The kitchen renovations and perhaps the modifications to the track are in order. However, it seems rather ludicrous that a 26 million dollar renovation, thinly disguised as a community center, is not feasible, now, or in the near future.

I am most opposed to the replacement of the natural grass field with any synthetic surface. In my own experience as an athlete, I have seen far too many knee and ankle injuries caused by such a surface. Also to be considered is the concussive impact that the head (even a helmeted one) suffers against that type of field. Maintenance costs for synthetic are just as high, if not more, than any natural field.

The entire proposal is ill conceived, poorly timed, and at a cost that Ogemaw county tax payers cannot afford. For the first time in my life, I will be voting against a school bond issue. I strongly urge other voters to do the same.

I posted a comment before regarding the "Taj Mahal" and I'll say it again. I KNOW without a doubt that a true "community center"(not an athletic complex owned by the school district) with a pool, with an indoor track and many other luxuries can be built for FAR LESS than 26 million dollars. I work in the steel construction field and have seen numerous municipalities build a complex that the whole community can use not just our athletes during the school year.

My children will attend OHHS and most likely will play one sport or another but they don't need this athletic center to be a good athlete. A high end complex does not make the athlete, hard work, sweat, the love of the sport and determination are what make an athlete.

Our school district needs many other things. The kids have come home this week with a list of things they are required to have for class; things such as a graphing calculator, a portable USB drive, boxes of facial tissues. Really! You want the community to approve a bond for an athletic center but you cannot afford to by kleenex for the district. The two do not add up. If these things are essential to our kids why isn't the school district supplying them. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford those items for my children but what about the families that cannot?

I do believe that our "Community" is in need of a rec plex but it needs to be for the community as a whole.