THE NEW ROSCOE EADES

WHERE KIDS CAN PLAY EVERY DAY!

Presentation for Educating Key Decision Makers, Project Supporters, and the Community.

THE NEW ROSCOE EADES

WHERE KIDS CAN PLAY EVERY DAY!

Sterling High School

Purpose of Presentation
To gain support from the community to raise money for and install a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field at Sterling High School Roscoe Eades Stadium. Sterling is a community that has always prided itself in providing top-notch facilities for our schools and programs. Centennial Auditorium, Roscoe Eades Stadium, and Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse are shining examples of these facilities. Together, they form the backdrop of a picturesque campus that rivals many small colleges. Most high schools can only dream of such a setting. A synthetic turf field will not only benefit our students, athletics program, and our physical education courses. It will also be a prominent addition to the overall appeal of an already extraordinary high school campus.

What Makes A Facility Great?

A safe playing surface. A facility the community, students, and staff can take pride in. A playing surface that offers extensive availability of use. Very Low maintenance costs.

What is synthetic turf?

Synthetic or artificial turf is a grass-like surface covering that replicates lush natural grass in appearance and function. When used on playing athletic fields, it provides a consistent, year-round, all-weather playing surface built to withstand extended use without downtime for recovery. Most synthetic turf systems installed today include a drainage layer, a multi-layered backing system, and resilient grass blades that are infilled with a resilient granular filler to resemble natural turf.

Synthetic Turf
What you should know:
Synthetic turf playing fields exponentially increase playing time because they can be used daily and in all types of weather, without worry of damage. All synthetic turf fields are not the same. There are a variety of synthetic turf systems and infill materials. Over 1,000 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields are installed annually in North American schools, colleges, parks and professional sports stadiums. FieldTurf is the company we have chosen to install our field;
In Northern IL alone, FieldTurf installed 41 fields in 2011. Super Bowl XLVI was just played on a FieldTurf field. 21 of 32 NFL teams play on FieldTurf Fields. 100+ D-1 NCAA schools play on FieldTurf FieldTurf has installed over 7,000 fields nationwide. www.FieldTurf.com

How safe is it?

Studies Show FieldTurf is Safer than Natural Grass
An independent, three-year study of competitive college football showed that when compared to natural grass the FieldTurf system leads to: 74% Fewer Muscle Tears 42% Lower ACL Trauma 32% Fewer Ligament Tears 22% Fewer Severe Injuries 19% Fewer Substantial Injuries 12% Fewer Concussions 10% Less Injury From Shoe Surface Interaction during Contact 8% Less Injury From Shoe Surface Interaction during NonContact 7% Fewer Total Injuries

How safe is it?

An independent, five-year safety study of competitive high school football showed that when compared to natural grass the FieldTurf system leads to:
55% Fewer Neural Injuries 47% Fewer Cranial / Cervical Injuries 38% Fewer 3rd Degree Injuries 45% Less Time Lost to Long-Term Injuries (Lasting 22+ Days) 35% Less Time Lost to Short-Term Injuries (Lasting 1-2 Days)

There is similar data available for soccer, head impact response, traction, etc.

Why Sterling High School?

Our field is not being used in its current condition.
All 2012 Spring sports using our field have already been move to alternate sites to allow our field time to recover. The 70 year old drainage system under the field is severely damaged and in need of replacement (>$200K). There are approx. 60 different events held on our field each year. We have had to turn down hosting several regional events which would generate revenue for both the school and booster club. (i.e. - 2012 Girls Soccer Regional)

Best use of space:

Provides athletic teams, band, cheerleading, and pompoms both game and practice space. Physical education classes (467 students daily)

Cost-effective maintenance:
Upkeep of a synthetic turf field costs four to five times less than a natural turf field.

Community use and involvement:

Community events, sports leagues, etc. could rent the field; fees would bring in additional revenue to the school district.

Allows for a multi-use facility that the community can showcase. Its a facility our community and students will take pride in.

2009 Week #9 vs. LaSalle-Peru

2009 Week #9 vs. LaSalle-Peru

Week #10
First Game of IHSA Play-offs vs. LaSallePeru

Current Field

Synthetic Turf Fields

Orland Park Sandburg High School FieldTurf Field

Local schools who already have synthetic turf

Augustana College Dekalb High School Dunlap High School Freeport High School Mendota High School Rock Island High School

Local schools currently considering synthetic turf

Geneseo High School Ottawa High School (2012)

How much will it cost?

Ready to Play Estimated at just under

$1,000,000*
Depending on the type, size, and markings of our field, the price will vary slightly.
*

100% of these funds will come from private sources, no school district funds will be used for the installation of the field.

How could we pay for this?

A local charitable organization and the Sterling Athletic Booster Club will combine to provide matching funds for up to 50% of the total cost.
Matching Funds Alumni & Staff Band & Other Boosters Friends of the School Local Businesses Corporations $ 500,000 $ _______ $ _______ $ _______ $ _______ $ _______

TOTAL:

$1,000,000

* Pledges of $1,000 and over can be paid over 3 years and gifts of highly appreciated securities can be accepted.

What are the schools thoughts?

In 2008 I completed Sterling Public Schools District Facility Plan. This initiative included an assessment of all our Physical Education facilities and athletic fields. It was determined at that time we needed significant upgrades to the surface of our football and soccer field based on two major factors. These included the extremely poor condition of the fields drain tile and an excessive number of athletic events hosted on the field. Since that time the District has annually budgeted significant funds in order to maintain an adequate playing surface. We have also consulted with three different turf and field experts who have all come to the conclusion that the best solution to correct both of these field issues is to install an artificial surface. Though an artificial surface may be the recommended solution to our field problems, it is an expensive endeavor that currently the District cannot afford. To be honest this has been a source of frustration, because as the Superintendent of Schools it is always my goal to put our students in the best possible learning environment for all of their academic and athletic endeavors. Therefore, I want to formally applaud the efforts of the Sterling Athletic Booster Club as they work to raise the necessary outside funding to make this project a reality. Simply stated, the addition of an artificial surface to our high school football and soccer field will be an asset to our students, our schools, and most importantly our community.

Tad Everett, Sterling Public Schools Superintendent

How do the coaches feel?

At Sterling, we have always strived to provide our student athletes with the finest educational and athletic experiences. This new surface would assure that our kids have the best possible chance to be successful. It would solve many of our game & practice problems for football and other sports as well as provide a consistent facility for use by our PE classes throughout the school year. It will also help immensely with playoff football scheduling. On several occasions in recent years Newman was forced to move games to Rock Falls field for playoff games.

Greg King - Activities Director / Head Football Coach

How do the coaches feel?

It has always been a blessing to call Roscoe Eades field our home away from home field. It is a great venue and we all certainly have many great memories from witnessing great athletic achievement there. The chance to establish a state of the art playing surface would certainly solidify Roscoe Eades Stadium as one of the elite fields in northern Illinois. Lets make more memories!!!

Mike Pappocia Newman Catholic High School

Activities Director / Head Football Coach A synthetic turf field would give the baseball program a place to condition outside in the early Spring when the weather is questionable. It would be a huge advantage for the Sterling baseball program. Robbie Minor, Head Baseball Coach

What Else Would This Allow Us To Do?

Multiple PE classes can be held on the field every day. We can host a variety of other events; Band, Cheerleading, & Pom-pom events. Practice football on our field. Currently the football team practices behind the stadium. Due to lack of water the ground gets very hard and is not an ideal surface to be practicing on. Currently, our soccer teams are forced to practice and play games at other locations. With the addition of a synthetic turf field, our field will become the main playing field for the girls and boys soccer programs at all levels. Varsity, Sophomore, Freshman, & Playoff football games for both Sterling and Newman could be scheduled backto-back on the same day if necessary.

The Bottom Line

Installation of a synthetic turf field will provide a first class multi-purpose facility to maximize the use of the Sterling High School Roscoe Eades Stadium in a way that will benefit the school district, students, student athletes, sports programs, faculty, parents, and the entire community.

Questions about Synthetic Turf

What impact will this have on the health of our students? What is the environmental impact? What is the impact on cost?

Health Impact
Crumb used tire rubber Temperature of the field Biological hazards Overall safety

Environmental Impact
Synthetic turf is environmentally friendly in origin, application, use, disposal, sustainability, and water conservation. It is not uncommon for grass fields in this area to require a minimum of 15,000 gallons of irrigation water per week during the growing season and hundreds of pounds of fertilizer and pesticides annually. Synthetic turf fields substantially decrease water usage, essentially eliminate chemical treatments, and reduce the man hours and power equipment operation needed to maintain a grass field.

Cost Impact
While initial investment cost is significant, the cost savings over time compared to natural grass can easily justify the up-front expenditure. Maintenance costs are four to five times less than for natural turf. No mowing, paint striping, irrigation, or chemicals are required. Wear & tear on football uniforms is reduced due to no contact with grass and mud. Laundering becomes much easier as well. With regular maintenance, synthetic turf fields usually last in excess of 10 years, and are typically warranted for eight years. New materials are estimated to last even longer, possibly 15 years. Because of its consistent availability, a synthetic turf field is also a reliable source of rental revenue for schools and communities to generate additional income.

Timeline
Nov. 2011 Jan. 2012: Organize turf committee, due diligence companies, and get quotes for the project. on turf Feb. Mar. 2012: Educate community on the possibility of this project and how it will affect the school district and community. Include engagement from businesses and community members. Collect donations/pledges from all available resources. Mar. Apr. 2012: Core sampling and topo preparation of field, request for board approval, bids for site work, and contract with FieldTurf for installation. May (late) August 2012: Install synthetic turf at Sterling High School Roscoe Eades Stadium. Completion by August 1, 2012. Aug. 17th 24th 2012: Hold ribbon cutting ceremony with donors and official public unveiling of the new field during Blue & Gold Scrimmage and/or first home football game.

Next Steps?
Next steps will include:
Engaging school and community members and educating them on the benefits of a synthetic turf field and how it will be funded. Continued meetings with FieldTurf, and getting bids for the site work portion of the project. Continue the fundraising campaign to pay for the field. Requesting the opportunity to meet with school board and district leaders in Feb. Mar. 2012 to answer any questions, present our overall progress, and request final approval to move forward with the installation. Final contract with FieldTurf in early April 2012 to ensure project completion by August 1st. Construction beginning in late May 2012 with a completion deadline of August 1, 2012.

Proposed Field Markings