As more and more cities around the Peninsula replace grass athletic fields with synthetic turf, the City of Belmont is considering following suit by installing the ever-green, no-watering-needed material at the Belmont Sports Complex.
The proposed project includes the installation of synthetic turf on the four-acre North Field and potentially the South Field.
The matter will be discussed tonight at the monthly meeting of the Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission. City staff has recommended the discussion based on extensive research and evaluation of turf projects throughout the Bay Area.
According to a city staff report, the advantages to synthetic over natural turf are:
- Turf fields have significantly less operating costs because of reduced maintenance labor and material to maintain
- The new synthetic turf fields increase by 40% to 60% the amount of playable hours
- Synthetic turf fields do not have to be closed for long periods of maintenance and rehabilitation, and rarely have to be closed due to rainy weather
- They do not require the imposition of a ceiling on playable hours in order to protect the quality of the field.
- The flatness and uniformity of the new synthetic turf fields produce venues that provide better and safer recreational opportunities for soccer, baseball, softball and other sports
The firm of Callander Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc. was selected for the project, and entered into a Professional Services Agreement with the City in June 2011.
Tonight's agenda item is for discussion only, no vote will be taken. But if you'd like to be a part of the discussion, come on down to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Belmont City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane.
For more information, click here.
