No Artificial Problem: Questions Raised About Turf Field at Carey Stadium

When Ocean City Council passed an ordinance that, among other things, set money aside for an artificial turf field at Carey Stadium, it wanted to make sure it was clear that it was doing just that: setting the money aside.

It’s not finalizing any plans for the project. It just wanted to make sure the money is there in case it proceeds when all its questions were answered.

And following City Planner/Engineer John Feairheller’s comments during the public comment portion of Thursday night’s meeting at City Hall, it was clear there are a lot of questions.

City Council passed an ordinance, 6-1, to appropriate $1,435,000 and borrowing $1,363,250 for various improvements, including installing a turf field at Carey Stadium.

Councilman Peter Guinosso provided the dissenting vote.

The field is used by the high school’s athletic teams as well as the Ocean City Nor’easters semi-professional soccer team.

The City would appropriate $1,250,000 and borrow up to $1,187,500 for work on the project.

According to City Finance Director Frank Donato, the City also has $500,000 in supplementary funds available, bringing the total amount the City could set aside to $1.75 million. The track project will be done independent of the field project.

The ordinance also included the appropriation of $150,000 and the borrowing of up to $142,500 for two new fire trucks.

There was also a line item for the appropriation of $35,000 and the borrowing of $33,250 for construction, rehabilitation and repair of multiple buildings, including the installation of a generator at the 46th Street firehouse.

But it’s the artificial turf that has received the most attention.

Some residents voiced concerns over the use of the money, saying it might be better off fighting flooding, and the safety concerns, particularly when it comes to “turf toe.”

However, Feairheller didn’t take a side. He did present facts based his previous work with turf fields in Atlantic City.

“It’s going to take five or six months for construction,” Feairheller said. “You either start in the summer and lose the football season, or you start after the season and lose track and field and graduation.”

He said because of the drainage, the City is going to have to consider resurfacing 5th Street. The turf is held down by rubber and rests on two feet of stone, and the City needs to prepare for more equipment and storage.

“The numbers always cost extra from the lines,” Feairheller said, referring to the lining of the football field.

He also said you can’t throw a discus and a javelin down the middle of a turf field, and it’s flammable.

“I’m not for or against it,” Feairheller said. “I just don’t want you to go through with this and say ‘Oh gee, we forgot” something.

Councilman Keith Hartzell said he raised a lot of interesting points and he would like to see Feairheller return and present a more lengthy report.

“He’s an expert and he could clear up a lot for me,” Hartzell said.

Guinosso agreed, saying there were issues he was concerned with that high school athletic directors that have turf fields at their schools don’t have the answers for.

“I think we should be mindful that older turf was problematic, but they’ve learned a lot of lessons and it’s better than it’s ever been,” Council President Anthony Wilson said. “We have a vested interest in the kids playing on that field. Let’s make sure we’re doing the right thing.”

The attached photo of a high school football game being played on Carey Field is a Patch file photo.