Fundraising efforts proposed for Berwind Park turf project
ST. MARYS - Potential fundraising efforts to replace the playing surface of the Berwind Park baseball field were among several items discussed during the St. Marys Area School District Board of Directors Tuesday evening workshop.
Jesse Beimel, SMAHS head varsity baseball coach, requested the board’s permission to attempt to fundraise to have turf installed on the field which is utilized by baseball teams from SMA, Elk County Catholic, the American Legion and Little League.
Beimel said if the project comes to fruition it would be of no cost to the district as all costs would be raised through fundraising and grants. The main catalyst to transforming the field from grass to turf is due to frequent inclement weather severely impacting teams ability to use the field.
The board will vote on the request during next week’s regular monthly meeting.
Beimel obtained cost estimates from four companies, all of which fall in the same price range. To convert the infield only would cost $400,000 while the entire field transformation is $1.5 million.
He emphasized they would attempt to obtain grants from various entities including the state, DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies professional teams and others. They also have meetings scheduled with State Rep. Mike Armanini (R-Elk/ Clearfield), Senator Cris Dush and Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson to discuss the project.
Superintendent Harley Ramsey said their focus should be on maximizing other funding sources, particularly grant opportunities, in order to be respectful of the giving nature of the local community.
Stacy McKee, school board president, inquired about risk assessment as far as dangers involved with athletes and injuries, noting the district opted to stay with natural grass over turf when they renovated the football field years ago. Beimel replied that he was informed by company representatives that today’s turf and accompanying material underneath make it a softer surface making athletes contact with it less invasive as compared to solid ground.
The board also requested safety studies on turf fields from potential companies, which Beimel said he could provide along with bringing a sales rep to a future meeting to field board inquiries.
Upkeep is fairly minimal according to Beimel. High traffic areas would need a rubber compound applied to them after use via a pull-behind broom that could be mounted to a lawnmower. Extra rubber material and brooms are built into the costs.
A potential cost savings would be in having to use a rapid dry material currently placed on infields to absorb water from the playing surface. The material is also currently difficult to obtain.
Beimel was joined at the workshop by his wife Adrian who helped establish the Dutch Baseball and Dugout Club, as a nonprofit organization, which could aid them in obtaining grants for needed equipment, uniforms, upkeep of batting cages and the potential turf project.
The project could also be completed in stages such as completing the infield first then outfield or vice versa. According to Beimel, company representatives said turf fields have a warranty of 8-12 years. In 15 years, high traffic areas would potentially need re-turfed, however the cost would be much less as the initial excavation and drainage would already be completed.
The board also wanted to make sure the drainage of a turf field does not pose any stormwater issues in the area of the park.