Additional $200,000 may be needed for soccer field drainage

RHINEBECK, N.Y. » Drainage improvements are expected to tack on about $200,000 to the cost of a new soccer field at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

During a video conference Town Board meeting on Monday, Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said the project was missing the drainage infrastructure, which consists of three- or fourfoot drainage pipes with holes in them that are laid down. She said the cost is approximately $200,000 because “supplies are a commodity now and they’re really expensive.”

The town Planning Board reviewed the $1.56 million soccer field project earlier this year and officials agreed to hire Clark Companies and Catella Engineering to install an artificial turf field.

Officials said the drainage information was determined to be missing as part of the town stormwater pollution prevention plan that is required for projects at the park.

Town Board members agreed to allow Clark Companies to move forward with tests that will determine how well water will pass through the soil and how easily it can be drained off-site.

“Our engineer…is pretty confident that they can find ways to mitigate that $200,000 costs,” Spinzia said. “So we need to see what we’re up against.”

Board members expect to bond $800,000 toward the cost of construction, with the balance coming from donations.

Other funding is expected to include $200,000 from a town capital fund; $80,000 from the Rhinebeck Soccer League; $100,000 from DeCola; $50,000 from the Kibel Foundation; $20,000 from Michael Cassano and a Google match; $10,000 from an anonymous donor; $2,500 from a Rhinebeck Soccer League matching donation; $100,000 from the Frost Foundation; and $90,000 from Rhinebeck Porchfest.

Supporters earlier this year convinced board members that an artificial field will cut down on maintenance costs. Park Committee Chairman Michael DeCola in January said a natural grass field would use 52,000 gallons of water per week and require that insecticide be used to keep the turf healthy.