The proposed design accommodates the pump house included as part of the flood mitigation program. In addition, the plan preserves the existing playground, maintains school parking by creating an additional lot on Meadow Road, and improves field conditions by installing synthetic turf. The size of the playing field would encompass football, field hockey, and lacrosse.
The architects estimate the total cost of this project to be in the range of $1.2 - $1.5 million, excluding the underground drainage system that would be funded by the flood mitigation project.The mitigation project substantially offsets the total cost of this proposed field improvement.
Board members discussed the added value of this plan. While it does not add a new field, it does increase scheduling flexibility and provide a more durable playing surface. David Brashear advocated increasing the total number of parking spaces, and Superintendent David Quattrone supported this idea by pointing out that Elementary students could use the practice field for kickball and other recreational activities instead of requiring a paved area. He asked KG&D to show that option.
Given the overlapping schedule of several construction projects, Board member Pierre de Ste Phalle asked for an integrated schedule showing the relationship among these various efforts.
