Synthetic turf is pricey protection

The LVUSD has agreed to purchase synthetic stadium turf for its high schools from a Canadian company, FieldTurf, which is listed with the California Multiple Award Schedule. CMAS is run by the state to ensure that school districts obtain the best price for products listed.

An Acorn article last month stated the district proposed to spend $1 million per field for synthetic turf. Measure G does not specifically state that funds were budgeted to replace the athletic fields. The website indicates that up to $1.5 million per field may be set aside for the project. The district procurement office district did not have information regarding the bid for the turf, although the documents state that the goals for the synthetic turf are the reduction of injuries and saving of water.

Everyone is familiar with the synthetic turf at Oaks Christian high school, because they generously permit the use of their fields. The athletes are protected from injury through the use of granulated rubber at the base of the grass. FieldTurf, chosen by LVUSD, will be substantially different because it uses sand to hold it down, with an increase in abrasion injuries.

Chaminade and Campbell Hall, two fine fields in the area, use granulated rubber at the base of the grass, while Ventura and Loyola use sand and are known to be very hard. The FieldTurf costs $43.65 per square yard, plus installation. The district will seek bids for the installation. The synthetic surface cost is $514,643 per field.

The Measure G documents reveal, among other things, a budgeted $1.1 million for two new science classrooms and upgrades of two existing ones, $500,000 for campus paint and beautification at Agoura, $150,000 for an upgraded lunchroom, $500,000 for the upgrade of five elementary school classrooms, $6.8 million for management and $36 million for inflation and increased costs.

That is what I call throwing money at the problem. Kevin H. Park Woodland Hills