News : Field turf project nearing goal; VS leaders seeking donations

The future of the renovation of the Karr Athletic Complex, including the resurfacing of the all-weather track and the installation of an all-season, multi-purpose artificial field turf, is now largely in the hands of Vinton-Shellsburg school district residents.

The school board, over recent years, has allotted $610,000 in PPEL funding for the project, which has an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

Already, the district has received private donations and pledges of approximately $200,000, but the project will need up to $400,000 more of funding to cover the cost of the new track as well as the field turf.

The school board will discuss the possibility of approving more funding, through another round of PPEL fund approval, or perhaps via use of local option sales tax funds, during its October meeting.

However, said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock, the amount of community support will be a factor that helps determine the board's decision on future funding.

"I anticipate the board will be interested in knowing how much community support there is for the upgrades – and that community support could be shown in financial contributions as well as in signing a petition in support," says Hainstock.

Football fans signed petitions during last Friday's Homecoming game, and more petitions will be available for project supporters to sign this week when the Vikings host Decorah.

Hainstock said that last fall, the district received a bid of $520,000 to repair the track and deal with drainage issues. The field turf project, which requires several layers of special dirt underneath the artificial field, is expected to cost approximately $700,00.

School leaders are hopeful that the show of community support through petition signatures, donations from school supporters, and the advertising sign campaign, will cover much of the remaining $400,000.

The school board hopes to review project specifications during its October meeting and may advertise for bids to reviewed in November or December. The amount of community response will impact the board's decisions on the project.

There will be the base bid to redo the track and drainage around it, with alternative bids for turf, special clock and covers for the track pits.

While the largest crowds will see the new turf during the Friday night football games, V-S teachers and directors of other programs said the field will become a daily part of

"It will be used from early morning to late at night," said Hainstock. Beginning with the early band practices, to physical education classes during the day, to football games at night.

PE teacher Joe Johnson said the field would be a big help to the PE program as well as the athletic strength and conditioning program.

And while most people see the first purpose of the field as athletic, VS Band Director Nick Waymire said the band will benefit most of all from the new field, which it can use every day for practice.

Waymire said that there is a great benefit to being able to practice and perform on the same field. Currently, the main football field is not used daily because of the impact marching would have on the grass. The field turf would be sturdy enough for daily practices for band and other activities.

"A quality field will lead to quality rehearsals, which will help us have quality performances," said Waymire.

VS girls varsity soccer coach Dave Cornell said the field would be a big benefit to the soccer teams, as well. Currently they play and practice outside the high school, on a field that slopes downhill from the south to north goal, and on turf that is very rough.

Viking football coach Jim Womochil said the main benefit would be for safety for athletes during games and practice; it would also increase participation in marching band, soccer and football programs.

Brad Barker of the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department said that the VPRD often uses the field for events like the annual Hershey Track Meet and the recent Punt, Pass & Kick contest. The new field would help significantly with those programs and many others, he said.

Activities Director Jim Struve said the new field would make V-S competitive with other schools' facilities, and make it much more likely that V-S would be chosen as a site for district or state athletic contests, which also bring in more revenue to the district.

There would also be a significant savings in maintenance costs. Currently the district spends more than $10,000 and countless man-hours in watering, mowing, and painting the field.

The district has shared information with residents with some fliers and Power Point presentations.

Below are some of the details about the project, and answers to frequently asked questions, contained in those publications:

Vinton-Shellsburg CSD has made a commitment to the students in our district. The Vinton-Shellsburg School Board has committed over $600,000 from the PPEL account towards a renovation project that will replace the track, grass field, and drainage structures. An additional $200,000 of private funds have been raised and we need $400,000 more to make this project a reality for our students and community.

This first class facility will have a positive impact our students and community with benefits such as:

•Physical Education classes- Daily usage of every High School student during each PE class offered •Fine Arts programs – Marching Band practice and competition events •District Cost Savings- Over $10,000 annual savings to the school district in maintenance and costs •Soccer- High School and Youth Soccer practice, games, and Saturday tournaments •Football– High School and Youth Football practice / games •Track Program - Improved Track surface and Field event areas for our Track athletes •VPRD- Numerous Community and Youth Activities •Safety- Safer playing surface for Football and Soccer athletes (fewer concussions and ACL injuries)

Frequently asked questions:

Where is the money the school has contributed coming from?

A: The Physical Plant and Equipment Levy money, which can only be used for facility improvement, busing, equipment, safety, etc., NOT for teacher salaries or additional positions

When does the money have to be raised by?

A: November 1

When are the anticipated start and end dated of the project?

Start - May 18th, 2015

Completion - August 17th, 2015

How will this project effect water drainage?

For maximum efficiency, a sub-terrain 15” tile (compared to the existing 8” tile) will be used to improved drainage concerns

How can I make a donation?

Fill out a brochure and send it to the school. Brochures can be found via clicking the link below, at the table near the ticket booth at all home games or by contacting jim.struve@vscsd.org

Click below for various links concerning this project

Letter to business owners regarding advertising campaign

Online Donation site (Pay Schools/VS)

Project flier (Page 1 - donation form)

Project flier (Page 2 - information)

See a video of VSHS educators and community leaders sharing their reasons for supporting the project below:

[VIDEO]