LASALLE – LaSalle-Peru High School’s board will make a decision in moving forward with plans to replace Howard Fellow Stadium with artificial turf at their next meeting. With only one more season projected left in the problematic field, the board is looking to get the ball rolling on restorations to be ready for graduation next year. The joint buildings and grounds committee reviewed the pros and cons of natural grass versus an artificial turf restoration, at their special public meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The estimated cost for a turf field is $500,000 more than a grass field, but would save the district around $230,000 over 16 years. Developing partner Joseph Schuit says while natural grass is the safest and highest performing field, one rainy football game can tear up the field and cause long term damages. According to Superintendent Steven Wrobleski, the district can afford half of the turf project through TIF reimbursement payments to have zero impact on the taxing body. Committee members reached an agreement to put a recommendation of achieving at least half of funding through community partners on their agenda for their Monday meeting. So far, the board has $95,000 in committed pledges.
Over time, Howard Fellow Stadium’s crown deteriorated to 14 inches causing uneven drainage under the field. Typically, an ideal field has a crown of 24 inches in height.
Note: The additional $180,000 to the projected cost over 16 years for natural grass is the total average annual costs between 16 years and its expected life span of 25 years.
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