Selectmen Approve Turf Contracts

Soon, despite seeing soggy grass just a stone's throw away, kids in Clinton will be able to play their sport of choice on an artificial turf field. 

In an unanimous vote, the five-member Board of Selectmen approved the bids for the voter-approved artificial turf project at their June 15 meeting.

The awarding of the bids was tabled at their June 8 meeting due to concerns by Selectman Carol Walter that the project was slated to go over budget.

"You're talking $300,000 over right now," she said.

The total cost of the project turned out to be $895,178 which is less than the voter-approved bonding package of $985,000.

The project was approved by voters by a vote of 356 to 283 as part of a total $9.38 million bonding referendum vote April 6.

The bids were as follows: $379,000 to Coastline Construction for site work and $408,678 to Sprinturf for the manufacturing and installation of the turf field.

The total breakdown of costs is as follows:

$379,000 to Coastline Construction of Clinton for site preparation and work

$408,678* to Sprinturf of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for the product and installation

$107,500 for fees to the WBA Group of Branford for the design

There is a contingency amount of $89,822, the difference of the project costs and the bonded amount.

*this amount was negotiated down from $416,678.

The new artificial turf will replace one of the existing grass soccer fields at the Indian River Recreational Complex (IRRC) off Route 81.  At present, the IRRC facility has three soccer fields (one is lighted) and one 90 foot baseball field which is lighted. The new turf field will go into the lighted soccer field's space and will be used for soccer, field hockey, boy's lacrosse and girl's lacrosse (which have different striping regulations).

"It can also accommodate football playing," said Joseph Schettino, chairman of the Clinton Park & Recreation Commission and chairman of the Turf Field Committee.

Schettino said the $895,178 total costs include the following: the 82,000 square foot artificial turf playing field, the border, an American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant entrance, fencing, ball safety nets, and the relocation of the bleachers.

A new scoreboard, which was discussed at an earlier date, will not be funded.

Selectman Thomas Vicino, a member of the Turf Field Committee and the Board of Selectmen's liaison to it, said the objectives of the new turf field are safety for its players, performance and playability.

The new field should provide about 40 weeks of play instead of the usual 25 weeks on grass, said Vicino.

"It's softer, keeps the heat down, and there are less injuries," he added. 

Work surveying the field will begin next week with a scheduled grand opening this fall at the beginning of the fall sports season, said Vicino.

The field comes with an eight year warranty, he noted, and is made in the U.S.A.