Synthetic turf coming to Agoura and Calabasas sooner than expected

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers NEW SURFACE- A view of the Agoura High School field under construction. Work is ahead of schedule. Synthetic turf is being installed at the stadiums at both Agoura and Calabasas high schools, and much sooner than initially hoped.

The $1 million project was approved by the Las Virgenes Unified School District on March 27, but the start date of the project was pushed up to this spring rather than summer 2008.

"Sooner saves money in virtually every case," said Donald Zimring, deputy superintendent of the district.

The district will save a considerable amount by having FieldTurf, the low bidder on the project, start construction during the offseason. Zimring said.

Most school districts have synthetic turf installed during the summer so sports activities are not interrupted.

The tight deadline presented several challenges to the school district. Zimring had to get each of the school's coaches and administrators to agree to the timetable since many sporting events would be affected.

A backup plan for graduation ceremonies had to be devised if the project isn't completed in time for the June rites.

Both Larry Misel, principal at Agoura High, and Dave Jackson, principal at Calabasas High, supported the early start date.

Zimring said the school's principals, coaches, booster clubs and physical education teachers are behind the money-saving plan.

The new construction schedule could save up to $100,000. "That's huge," Zimring said.

While some of the savings stems from the more competitive start date, Zimring said FieldTurf cut engineering and design costs by $50,000 since the district is offering the firm an opportunity to work during a time of the year that is usually very slow.

"FieldTurf will do all of its engineering and architectural designs at their cost," Zimring said.

The latest date for completion of the project is June 9, one week before graduation ceremonies, but district and FieldTurf officials said they hope construction will be finished two to three weeks earlier.

If unforeseen circumstances conflict with the graduation ceremonies, Calabasas High School will conduct its commencement on the school's upper fields, Jackson said. Misel will hold Agoura High's ceremony in the campus' lower fields if necessary.

"There's a place at Agoura (and) there's a place at Calabasas," Jackson said. He said plans have already been made to use temporary bleachers if the project isn't completed in time, he said.

"The only down side has been very well thought out by both schools," said school board member Pat Schultz.

Board President Terilyn Finders said the early start on the project might also save money for water since grass at the schools won't have to be watered during summer.

Synthetic grass has to be watered for maintenance, according to Zimring, just not as much as living grass.

When board members unanimously approved the plan, the roomful of people in attendance showed approval by applauding.