The Plymouth School Board agreed to enter into a contract with Cincinnati-based The Motz Group to purchase an artificial turf to be installed on the high school football field.
Superintendent Dan Tyree explained that the price of astroturf products have drastically changed from the time the board discussed the issue a year ago. He said that a procurement process has changed the price. A $1 million artificial surface quoted a year ago was proposed to the board by The Motz Group at $794,600 with a seven-year, $14,000 maintenance package. Maintenance includes sanitizing and cleaning the surface annually, plus a safety inspection. The surface is guaranteed for eight years, but it can last as long as 12 years. The product would be comparable to the field installed at Warsaw High School.
Tyree said $224,000 is available to pay for two years of the estimated payments, in addition to donor contributions.
Tyree mentioned that the timing of the payments would depend on the groundbreaking of the new Lincoln Junior High School as the football field/track on the junior high campus would no longer exist with the new construction planned, which could happen next year. Students from the junior high would be utilizing the high school field for necessary events.
The board members are favorable of a synthetic surface as the current field suffers from heavy rains and melting snow.
Board President Todd Samuelson questioned the method of leasing the money through a bond bank, so he asked for additional discussion on financing of the project.
The board did approve a motion to enter into the contract for the artificial surface with financing to be discussed at a future meeting.
