An Up-Close Look At The Rockville High School Field Project

VERNON, CT, — Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary on Monday outlined a plan to replace the natural grass surface with artificial turf at the Rockville High School stadium while also renovating the track and field surface.

The Vernon Town Council last week, in a 9-2 vote, decided to send the plan to a town meeting scheduled for April 20 at 7:35 p.m. Drive-up voting will commence at town hall after a comment period.

Patch sat down with Macary to ask him several questions about on the project.

Here is what he had to say:

Q: Who was on the Joint Ad Hoc Rockville High School Stadium Field & Track Committee?

A: The Ad Hoc Committee was formed in June 2020 and made up of 10 individuals — two Town Council Members, two Board of Education Members, 2 Administrators (Director of Park & Rec and Director of Athletics), 2 Parents/Guardians, and 2 Community members.

Q: Who were the members of the Joint Ad Hoc Rockville High School Stadium Field & Track Committee?

A: They were Karen Affedt, Charles Chatterton, Jeff Farrell, Anne Fischer, Keith Hodson, Stephen Linton, Brian Motola, Marty Sitler, , Scott Smith, and Steve Wakefield.

Q: Why was Artificial Turf chosen and not a natural turf overhaul?

A: A cost analysis was conducted for an eight-year period that included a new natural versus artificial turf plus all the maintenance costs (including labor, materials, resources, etc.) and we found that the actual costs would be the same for either natural or artificial turf. The reason the committee chose Artificial Turf was the additional amount of usage of the field to about 35 to 40 days more a year for our students to use the RHS Stadium Field.

Q: What was the process for awarding a contract for the artificial turf and track?

A: An RFP (request for proposals) was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee and there were several revisions to the final document. The RFP was published and advertised in all the standard areas. There were seven companies that bid on the project. The Committee requested additional information and all seven bidders provided answers to those questions. The best three bidders were asked to conduct a presentation.

Q: How was the final bidder chosen?

A: There was an Ad Hoc Committee meeting on Feb. 10, 2021, where the top three bidders made presentations to the committee and there was time for questions and answers by all committee members. This session was open and made available to the public virtually via a Zoom Meeting. The Committee unanimously chose Liberty Landscapes from South Windsor, as the company to complete the project for the RHS Stadium Turf and Track Project. Liberty has done similar projects at Suffield Academy, Bunnell HS (Stratford) and Dillon Stadium in Hartford.

Q: Who will be doing the construction of RHS Stadium Field & Track?

A: Liberty Landscapes of South Windsor, CT was unanimously chosen by the committee to complete the artificial turf and stadium track construction for Rockville High School. The final cost of the total project is $1,549,171. The company has been vetted for professional references and provided all insurance documents. The Town Attorney has reviewed the contract for all legal matters.

Q: How is the RHS Stadium Field & Track project going to be funded?

A: The Board of Education will be utilizing its Capital Non-Recuring Education Account in the amount of $1,129,462 for the cost of the artificial turf. This account is used solely for facility up-grades and repairs/replacements which the field sorely needs. The Town of Vernon will be using its general fund accounts to cover the cost of $419,709 for the Rockville High School Track. It saves money to address both projects at the same time.

Q: Are there any pending lawsuits or issues with having an Artificial Turf?

A: No. The committee found no research on any negative effects of crumb rubber to be used as a fill for the artificial turf. The Committee did discover that there is pending litigation on a certain brand of pad found in some artificial turf fields – the RHS Stadium Field will not be using any type of pad under the artificial turf.

Q: Why are we doing this?

A: Both the stadium field and track need substantial renovations. The track has numerous cracks and some depression areas that need to be addressed for safety. The field has terrible drainage, lots of divots, and uneven surfaces which pose a great hazard to those using it. These areas need to be safe for our students and the community.

Q: Why is there a Town Meeting?

A: The Vernon Town Charter calls for a Town Meeting for any expenditure great than one-tenth of 1 percent of the total budget (more than $96,000). This Town Meeting will be at the Vernon Town Hall (14 Park Place) via virtual means with drive thru and walk-up voting to hear comments and take necessary action for the RHS Stadium Field & Track renovation project expenditure.