Katy ISD to Install Synthetic Turf at High School Competition Fields

(April 20, 2009) – The Katy ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved at its April 15 work study the use of available funds to complete synthetic turf installations at the competition fields at Katy, Taylor, Mayde Creek, Cinco Ranch, Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes High Schools.

Due to the high volume of usage, the existing natural grass competition fields at Katy ISD’s high schools are not able to be maintained as an effective or safe surface. Because these fields have an important role in supporting both campus and community events, the district believes that it is prudent to utilize cost savings realized through effective financial management of previous capital projects to install a surface that will meet the long-term needs of both students and the community. 

“Extracurricular activities such as athletics and fine arts play an important role in developing lifelong skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance,” said Alton Frailey, Katy ISD superintendent. “As such, these fields are an extension of the learning environment in that they serve as a classroom where students discover valuable life lessons through practice and competition.”

On average, 547 student-athletes per campus collectively use the practice and competition fields at the district’s six high school campuses. The high school competition field is the host site for most all campus-based athletic activities, including both games and practices. There are also numerous non-athletic activities held on these fields such as pep rallies, marching band, drill team and flag corp. Junior high football is also played at the high school campus two days a week during the season.

Athletic fields in Katy ISD are also heavily used by numerous outside groups. While, the district encourages community use of these fields, the added loads limits the opportunity to maintain and address field quality.

“Because of the extensive use of the competition fields and the difficulty of keeping them well maintained, the high school athletic coordinators believe the current fields are putting students at greater risk for injury,” said Rusty Dowling, Katy ISD executive director of athletics.  “A more sustainable surface will greatly reduce that risk and synthetic fields are also less likely to cause serious head or knee injury.”

The district spent months conducting a feasibility study to determine if the resources were available to go forward with this project. Due to effective project and financial management of previous capital projects, the district has identified $4 million in project savings to apply towards the turf purchase. The remainder will come from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone funds. The cost of this project, not to exceed $5,226,431, will have no negative impact on the district’s general operating fund as these funds cannot be used for staff salaries or other general operation expenses. Also, as these are existing funds, their expenditure will not result in any tax increase.

The district expects to see considerable cost savings in the installation of the fields. Last year, nearby districts were paying $1.3 million per field. Current market conditions could see the district’s average field cost be as little as $867,000 per field.

Katy ISD Chief Operations Officer, Tom Gunnell explained that the installation of synthetic turf will also allow the district to repurpose more than 2,000 man hours annual for athletic field maintenance, which will result in savings to the district’s general operating fund.

“About 60 percent of the cost is work that has to be completed under the synthetic turf,” said Gunnell. “Of the $400,000 actually invested in the turf playing surface, there will be an anticipated maintenance cost avoidance of about $150,000 over the 10 year life of a field. This makes the field’s net effective cost less than $25,000 a year.”