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Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the current status of the
plans?
The design “bid” documents for the new track and
natural grass field at DeFazio were completed last month, and
responses will be opened on February 28.
The design “bid” documents for Memorial Park and the
remainder of work at DeFazio will be completed within the next
few weeks. We are
ready to begin work at Memorial in April 2008 and at DeFazio in
late June 2008.
When will construction be
completed?
At Memorial
Park, it is anticipated that the major construction work will be
completed in August/early September.
The synthetic turf multi-purpose field and 60’
softball/Little League diamond will become available
immediately. The
new 90’ diamond will be sodded, but will remain off-limits
until a sufficient root system is in place, hopefully in Spring
2009.
At DeFazio Park,
it is anticipated that the major construction work will be
completed in October. The
two synthetic turf multi-purpose fields and track will be
available when work is completed. The natural turf 90’
diamonds and natural turf multi-purpose fields within the track
will remain closed until a sufficient root system is in place
sometime in 2009.
How will all the groups using
fields handle the temporary loss of fields?
Needham High School
will lose use of a 90’ diamond and the track this spring.
The three baseball teams will have use of two 90’
diamonds and will coordinate their schedules.
The home meets for the track teams have been moved to
other locations, and negotiations are underway to secure a
nearby track for practice. In the fall, limited multi-purpose field space will need to
be shared amongst Field Hockey, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer and
Football, until the synthetic turf fields at DeFazio are
available.
The youth
organizations are working together to coordinate uses, and find
alternate locations during the construction period.
The Needham Track Club has an agreement in place for
their program to be held at Wellesley High this summer.
The spring and summer months will be most difficult on
the groups playing baseball.
The fall will be most difficult for groups that use
multi-purpose fields.
What
is the total expected cost of the project?
$7
million
How
will the project to be funded?
Private
sources $5.6
million
Public
sources
$1.4 million
How
much of the private money has been raised so far?
$4.7
million
What
happens if the full $5.6 million is not raised by the
construction start date?
We
have raised enough to begin the project and are scheduled to
commence construction in April. If the project is not fully
funded at the outset, we will continue fundraising and will
delay some components until the funding is in place.
Will
there be more fields created as compared to what exists today?
There
will be about the same number of fields, however substantially
all the fields will be deconflicted, thereby increasing the
availability and safety of the fields.
Will
the fields be lit?
Lighting
of Memorial Park and the artificial turf fields at DeFazio are
included in the project costs.
The construction of the lights must be approved by the
Zoning Board of Appeals.
What
are the benefits of synthetic turf from an injury perspective?
Findings from a recent 5 year study
indicated:
- 55% fewer neural injuries (natural grass 16.8%, synthetic
turf 7.5%)
- 47% fewer cranial / cervical injuries (natural grass 19.2%,
synthetic turf 10.2%)
- 45% less time
lost to injury of 22 days or more (natural grass 13.6%,
synthetic turf 7.5%)
- 38% fewer 3rd
degree injuries (natural grass 12.8%, synthetic turf 7.9%)
- 35% less time
loss to injury of 1-2 days (natural grass 28.0%, synthetic turf
18.4%)
Has
enough research been done on health and safety issues and
synthetic turf?
Since
their inception about 10 years ago, the installation of
synthetic turf fields has become a major industry that is
significantly competing against those companies that install
natural grass fields. This
competition involves a massive amount of dollars, and
accordingly, each industry is doing its best to extol its
product and discredit the others, at times calling into question
each product’s impact on health and safety.
The Park & Recreation Department, and other Town
Departments, are well aware of the consequences of this debate,
and accordingly they have been investigating the pros and cons
of the current style of synthetic turf for over 10 years now,
attending workshops and seminars, and asking constant questions
of colleagues that already have synthetic turf.
In November 2003, the Field Study Committee was formed
and residents and other Town officials joined in this discussion
and research.
Opinions
provided from sources that cannot substantiate their studies
within a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, and from
manufacturers who stand to gain from either the use or non-use
of a particular product are not necessarily valid.
Colleagues in other cities and towns that have installed
this new synthetic turf have been one source of information; as
have statements and studies made by the federal government,
state governments, and independent universities.
We respectfully request that anyone doing his or her own
research on the Internet on this relatively new technology take
the time to evaluate the source, and follow the information to
its original source.
In
October 2007, the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s
Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program
presented a fact sheet on synthetic turf fields due to the many
questions raised in previous months. The following was stated in the fact sheet, “Most of the chemicals emitted from the rubber granules are quite common
in urban and suburban air.
Some comes from rubber itself as roughly 1-2% of the
respirable dust in Los Angeles is estimated to come from the
wearing of tires. Other
sources for these chemicals are also quite common including car
exhaust, furnaces, consumer products, flooring and foods.” It
goes on to say, “A variety of governmental bodies including
Norway, Sweden, New Jersey and California have recently reviewed
the health issues; their assessments have not found a public
health threat. Sources
of exposure unrelated to artificial turf fields are likely more
important than the turf fields for many chemicals.
While DPH does not believe there is a unique or
significant health threat from chemical releases that can be
inhaled or ingested, the uncertainties warrant further
investigation.”
Is
my contribution tax deductible?
Yes, Needham Sports Council, Inc is a
501(c)(3) organization.
Are
there naming opportunities for any of the project components?
Yes, please contact a member of the Needham
Sports Council for details.
Can
I contribute appreciated securities?
Yes,
the Needham Sports Council, Inc has a brokerage account into
which securities can be transferred.
Where
do I send my contribution?
Needham Sports Council, Inc
15 Laurel Circle
Needham, Ma 02492
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