By Sarah Opdahl

On Tuesday, September 19, New Fairfield’s Field Fees Committee met to discuss field fees, which are intended to be spent on field maintenance. After discussion, it was agreed that it makes sense to increase the fees for the heavily used fields, given that the fees have not been increased in several years. The flat field fee would rise from $40 to $50 per participant, plus an additional $5 per field.

Though there is some concern about raising fees, Mr. Ed Sbordone noted, “we are most likely going to have to ask the Town for some support, and I would hate to ask them for that support without showing them that we’ve gone out and tried to collect more to put into the piggy bank, so I’m fine with that.”

The group reviewed a new field condition report with the school district’s Buildings and Grounds Director Mr. Phil Ross. Ross cut right to the chase, saying impact testing shows that the field is in poorer shape than previously reported. He explained of the filament field, “the single strands of grass…are deteriorating in UV sunlight—it is just breaking apart and it is in worse condition than I had spoken about prior to having the testing done.”

Ross backed off the five-year estimate he had previously given the field, closing its potential life to approximately two to three years. “I was surprised by the deterioration between this year and last year,” Ross said. Saying they can “get by,” he noted “it is going to become harder, the field is probably going to become more slick, it is going to require more repair.”

In deference to lack of funding, the group was happy to entertain the possibility of replacing the field, but deferring a track replacement to a future year. Ross said the field would not be impacted, integrity-wise, by a track replacement further down the road and it was confirmed other schools have opted to go the route of splitting the replacement. Track conditions have not been thoroughly tested, however, it has known issues with cracks, faded striping, and more. There was a brief discussion about the possibility of resurfacing the track versus a full replacement.

Given that bids were entertained a handful of years ago, Ross will work with Town officials to gather information about updating bids and whether updated bids from the three finalists would be allowed unde r a continuance or if the entire process needs to start anew. Ross mentioned the bids will be loaded with options—one the group will consider is the addition of a pad, which will extend the life of the field to the tune of an additional $70,000.

There was a discussion about boosting funds for the field replacement. Charging fees to enter other games was floated, though it was stated that fields beyond Rebel Stadium are tough to gate charge. Current game collection funds are used to offset the Athletics budget. Working with the boosters to fundraise for the field is a possibility in the future. Also, long memories on the Field Fees Comm ittee recall STEAP Grants being used to fund the sports field maintenance in the past, plus funded bleachers for the high school gym.

Turf versus natural grass fields were discussed at the meeting, with many recalling the painful process of maintaining predominately grass fields that were at times “more mud than grass,” Ross said. It was noted that once the dust settles on Rebel Turf, the Marty Morgan field is not far behind in line for an overhaul.