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http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1612548483/Artificial-turf-field-of-dreams[11/16/2011 10:17:57 AM]

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Related Photos Salem State installed this synthetic grass field in 2005 for its baseball team, replacing the old playing field that Athletic Director Tim Shea referred to as a mud bowl. Hes seen no spike in injuries or other problems since the artificial turf was installed. Staff file photo

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http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1612548483/Artificial-turf-field-of-dreams[11/16/2011 10:17:57 AM]

Artificial turf field of dreams Local News SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

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sheavepin 1 year ago

Meanwhile, Arlen Texas spent 60 MILLION dollars on a highschool football stadium. I hope that was all "local" money.

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Farcry

1 year ago

"It's an expensive proposition in an era of strained budgets, He estimates the cost at $1.5 million." Be prepared to replace it after 5 years because even with high quality artificial turf starts to wear out at 4 years. That said the installation will go to the lowest bidder...

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think_twice

1 year ago

Artificial turfs heat up to unbearable temperatures, especially for children, sometimes requiring game cancellations. Those in the band with woolen uniforms are vulnerable, like athletes. Also they off-gas a number of chemicals from the tire crumb. Upkeep includes using a combing machine, which may need to purchased or contracted out. Disinfectants are typically sprayed on turfs to kill bacteria from saliva, vomit, blood, etc. All these are additional costs, monetary and health concerns. Of course the salesmen don't tell you about this.

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martinvanderbilt

1 year ago

Salem should apply for a Grant to get artificial turf.

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April 23, 2010

Artificial turf field of dreams

Marblehead to weigh cost, benefits of $1.5M football field By Alan Burke Staff writer MARBLEHEAD When it comes to having a picnic, it's hard to improve on grass.
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1612548483/Artificial-turf-field-of-dreams[11/16/2011 10:17:57 AM]

Artificial turf field of dreams Local News SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

When it comes to playing football and other sports, however, the artificial turf is always greener. At least, that's what Bruce Bial of Marblehead Youth Football is hoping to convince this town, as he asks Town Meeting to pay to resurface the high school football gridiron, Sgt. Christopher Piper Field, with artificial material. He estimates the cost at $1.5 million. It's an expensive proposition in an era of strained budgets, but artificial turf, once found exclusively in professional sports, is becoming increasingly common, he notes, as the technology and the benefits improve. Locally, Bishop Fenwick and St. John's Prep have artificial turf. So do Manchester Essex and Lynn's Manning Bowl. "It's definitely a trend, and the Northeast Conference is one of the last leagues to get the turf," said Phil Sheridan, athletic director at Peabody High. Beverly considered it for its new high school but rejected the idea because of the cost. Bial is persuaded, however, that the benefits outweigh the cost. First among those benefits is access. Weather keeps the use of Piper Field down to 55 hours a year for the football team. A new surface could expand the time to 55 hours a week, Bial recently told the School Committee. Trade the grass and mud for rubber and fiber, he advised, and you open the space to the band, to soccer, to lacrosse and any number of additional uses. What's more, maintenance will be reduced to the point where groundskeepers can be diverted to other jobs, caring for grass fields elsewhere in town. There is nothing to mow. Artificial turf doesn't need the current 300,000 gallons of water each year. No divots need repair. No worn areas require reseeding. No pesticides will be purchased and sprayed about. 'No real issues' Tim Shea, director of athletics at Salem State, oversees one of the few artificial turf fields around. The soccer field alongside the O'Keefe Center was installed six years ago and has proved so successful that the entire baseball field except the pitcher's mound is surfaced with artificial material. "There's been no spike in injuries," he said. "There just don't seem to be any real issues." Drainage is an important part of the package, Shea said. "You can play 10 minutes after a downpour," he said, although he cautions that on the baseball field it isn't always easy to stop at a rain-slicked second base. "It's like a Slip 'N Slide." Perhaps the biggest obstacle for Marblehead is the cost. Voters are already bracing for an expensive list of Proposition 21/2 debt exclusion (temporary) overrides, including a combined $40 million for a new elementary school and a new dump. But the Finance Committee has already recommended taking the issue to the May 3 Town Meeting. Yet, Finance Committee Chairman David Harris believes this is "a well-thought-out proposal" where costs "down the road" have been minimized by the creation of a revolving fund designed to pay for what maintenance is required. "It does not saddle the town with costs going forward," he said. At a time when town departments have been leveled-funded for years, Harris said, it could be a relief for the Park and Recreation Department to no longer be responsible for the football field. Far from the Astrodome The first artificial field was installed in the Houston Astrodome in 1966 after the stadium's glass roof did not let in enough sunlight to grow grass. Over the years, Astroturf had obvious drawbacks. Baseballs bounced abnormally high on the surface. Seams would trip up players. When the surfaces went
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1612548483/Artificial-turf-field-of-dreams[11/16/2011 10:17:57 AM]

Artificial turf field of dreams Local News SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

into football stadiums, players found they were being tackled and thrown onto lightly covered concrete. Bial cites dramatic improvements since then. Artificial surfaces are now underlined by sand and shredded tires (with all metal removed). "We can control the softness. ... Both the NCAA and the New England Journal of Medicine have said that turf fields are safe. ... There are a lot less injuries, especially concussions." A new turf field would have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, Bial said. However, some of the estimated $1.5 million cost includes equipment for maintenance and drainage, one-time purchases. Restoring the turf surface after it wears out could be done for as little as $300,000. New England Patriot fans saw the difficulties posed by Mother Nature in 2006 when the Gillette Stadium gridiron became so chewed up that it was replaced midseason. More recently, the team suffered a crucial setback when receiver Wes Welker sustained a career-threatening injury after a slip on a grass field in Houston. Heat absorption is still a drawback for turf fields. Bial admits the fields are about 10 degrees warmer than grass. But that needn't be a problem in New England, he said. Instead, it prevents the surface from freezing as hard as ice in the winter. "That should get you on the field," he said. For his part, Shea sees another benefit to artificial turf, curing a problem that had defied every effort, including dogs: "The geese have gone away." Which could even improve your picnic. Text Only | Photo Reprints Local News

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Artificial turf field of dreams Local News SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Brian Richard, senior foreman from the Department of Public Works Forestry Division, keeps a eye on the tree while it is lifted after it was cut at 14 Brookwood Lane before its journey to downtown Danvers. Tree, two, one ... liftoff DANVERS The sight of a giant crane dangling a 35-foot Colorado blue spruce by the CVS in Danvers Square was a strange spectacle for a balmy November morning with temperatures in the 60s. "Seems pretty weird it's going to be 67 (degrees) out, and they are putting up the Christmas tree," said Danvers native Dan Fuller, a resident of Minot, N.D., who was in town visiting family this week. Nov 16, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo Tisei: Country 'headed in the wrong direction'

A little more than a year ago, former Republican state Sen. Richard Tisei was aiming to become the next lieutenant governor; now he has his sails set toward Congress. Tisei announced his candidacy for the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District yesterday on Main Street in his hometown of Wakefield, saying he wants to offer voters a clear alternative to incumbent Congressman John Tierney, a Salem Democrat. Nov 16, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo Senator to help pantries increase awareness PEABODY For years, state Sen. Fred Berry has held fundraisers and food drives to help food pantries on the North Shore alleviate hunger. But as the need for food assistance continues to grow here "a 50 percent increase in the last year," Berry said he wants to help those
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1612548483/Artificial-turf-field-of-dreams[11/16/2011 10:17:57 AM]

Artificial turf field of dreams Local News SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

organizations find a more permanent solution. Nov 16, 2011 5:00 am Local reps say gaming bill to bring jobs, money The Massachusetts House and Senate approved a bill yesterday to allow up to three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor in the Bay State, bringing resolution to an issue that has been discussed on Beacon Hill for decades. Nov 16, 2011 5:00 am 3 Comments Salem school among state's worst SALEM A Salem elementary school is one of six "underperforming" schools in Massachusetts that must turn themselves around or face possible state takeover, according to an announcement yesterday by Mitchell Chester, the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Nov 16, 2011 5:00 am 2 Comments Towns form committee to find new school boss Nov 16, 2011 4:30 am Former student indicted on rape charges Nov 16, 2011 4:30 am 'Big Brother' pleads not guilty to child rape Nov 16, 2011 4:30 am Book shares the stories of Ipswich seniors Nov 16, 2011 4:30 am 3 Photos Average Danvers tax bills to rise about 4 percent Nov 16, 2011 12:16 am Police/fire Nov 16, 2011 12:16 am Correction Nov 16, 2011 12:16 am Salem school one of state's lowest-performing Nov 15, 2011 2:45 pm 2 Comments House, Senate to vote on gambling bill today Nov 15, 2011 5:27 am 3 Comments Slaying details emerge Nov 15, 2011 5:04 am 1 Photo 1 Comment Workers, buyers remember 'Farmer John' Nov 15, 2011 5:02 am New housing project opens in Hamilton Nov 15, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo 1 Comment Peabody gets $1.5M for Main Street work Nov 15, 2011 5:00 am Ipswich Town Meeting gives green light to wind turbine proposal Nov 15, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo Facebook plays role in robbery charges Nov 15, 2011 4:45 am Former rep pleads not guilty to DUI Nov 15, 2011 4:30 am 1 Comment Forum to highlight addiction problem on the North Shore Nov 15, 2011 4:30 am Police Nov 15, 2011 4:00 am Police find missing elderly woman Nov 15, 2011 12:00 am Parisella 'back in the US' after tour in Iraq Updated Nov 15, 2011 9:52 pm 1 Photo 2 Comments DA: Son used hammer, knife to kill Danvers dad Nov 14, 2011 2:50 pm 'Wait, Wait' host returns to North Shore Nov 14, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo 3 Comments Lives: 'She was never afraid to jump into things' Nov 14, 2011 5:00 am 1 Photo 1 Comment Man charged with dad's murder Nov 14, 2011 5:00 am Appeals Court: Sex offender too dangerous to release Nov 14, 2011 5:00 am Click here for more Local News stories

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Unfortunately, the policies of Bush years not only erased the surplus left by Clinton,... Barbara Anderson: Friend, fellow activist provides perspective on D.C.'s deficit debate 15 minutes ago Dan Flathers "Here in Amherst, it's a relief that we still have faux educators who convince children and parents that West Side Story is a racist play that demeans Hispanics - thus inappropriate as a high... Letter: Updated Bottle Bill long overdue 21 minutes ago Dan Flathers Should they ever stop with their obsession with faulting the producers, they'd be stuck with obsessing over their own faults... That ain't never gonna happin'. Letter: Updated Bottle Bill long overdue 23 minutes ago Frank Kulik Fasten your seatbelts and hang onto your wallets folks, you're about to undergo a very expensive barrage of well-used contemporary buzzwords and eloquent political rhetoric. (Also know as "the... Salem school among state's worst 24 minutes ago KeithLucy "Most importantly, it's a jobs bill," said Rep. John Keenan, D-Salem. Whatever gets you through the night Mr. Keenan.... Local reps say gaming bill to bring jobs, money 24 minutes ago Dan Flathers Informative and lively as usual, Barbara. Taking your football analogy a step further, the formation of the 'supercommittee' was a punt out of bounds (but we're stuck with the implications of the... Barbara Anderson: Friend, fellow activist provides perspective on D.C.'s deficit debate 27 minutes ago BarbaraAnderson Thanks, James. You have my photo; if you see me around the area, as you may during the campaign year, say hello and we'll do coffee instead of autographs :) Barbara Anderson: Friend, fellow activist provides perspective on D.C.'s deficit debate 1 hour ago Jack Buba Let us know how you feel about this when you start paying taxes and stop living off your parents. Letter: Updated Bottle Bill long overdue 1 hour ago Jack Buba The details of the bill state: "The plan apportions revenue from [casino] licenses and taxes to local aid, higher education, health care payment reform, transportation, public health, racehorse... Local reps say gaming bill to bring jobs, money 1 hour ago James Carlson HEAVEN FORBID, THAT THERE SHOULD BE TENURE IN AN ELECTED POSITION. VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. Thanks: Looking forward to tenure on Beverly City Council 2 hours ago

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