School board approves turf replacement for La Cañada High School field
This May 2014 photo shows members of the La Cañada High School football team during a spring practice. Work to replace the artificial turf on the field will take place throughout June and July, with a target date to open between July 18 and 20 in time for football activities.
The school board on Tuesday unanimously approved an artificial turf replacement project at La Cañada High School’s football field. The approximately $729,000 project will replace the field installed in 2003.
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Mark Evans, chief business and operations officer, said a field replacement committee started researching the project in November 2015. Work will take place throughout June and July, with a target date to open between July 18 and 20 in time for football activities. The funding is coming from the California Multiple Schools Award Schedules bid, which Evans said is a “piggy-backable” contract that allows districts to use a statewide contract in the purchasing process.
The approved costs include installation and materials, which will include an impact pad below the turf, the turf material and the infill. Evans said the contract is with AstroTurf and Progressive Design Playgrounds, based in Vista. Evans added that the new field has a guarantee of 25 years with a warranty on the turf for about eight years.
“The existing turf strength did really well and lasted about 10 years,” he said.
The committee conducted road trips to various school districts of different athletic fields, including visits to Perris and San Marino. Rachel Adams, a consultant on the committee from Architecture for Education Incorporated, said they felt that Zeofill was a good “middle ground” for La Cañada. A recently installed soccer field near Griffith Park has Zeofill, Evans and Adams said.
“When it gets wet, it really retains its coolness,” Adams said. “It doesn’t require much water.”
Adams added the Zeofill has GMAX protection for concussions.
“The performance-level pad is a one-inch pad made out of a Styrofoam-type of product,” she said. “It goes underneath the grass and the infill. It doesn’t damage.”
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Matt Sanderson is a contributing writer.
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