Schools Weigh Two Options for Adding Turf Fields

by Judy Silberstein

(March 1, 2007) The Mamaroneck School Board has new options to consider as it continues its quest for ways to expand athletic field availability on its own land, without encroaching on the Kemper Memorial Park at the high school. William B. Aniskovich, the president of the design consultant firm WBA Group, reported to the board on Monday, February 27 on two alternative configurations for adding artificial turf and lighting at Memorial Field (where football and soccer are now played near the Boston Post Road) and Manchester Field (the track and baseball field between the Palmer and Post buildings.) Additional drawings showed a possible turf field at Central School.

The consultant based his presentation on topographical maps. Drawings show what will theoretically fit – but it will take further engineering and drainage studies to determine the cost of each option and whether rock, drainage and other underground conditions will actually accommodate the fields as sketched.

Also this week, on Saturday, March 3, a consultant hired by Fields for Kids, the organization advocating improvements to local fields, will be presenting results of a comprehensive field survey and making recommendations for fields throughout Larchmont and Mamaroneck.

What Alternatives is the School Board Considering?

Mr. Aniskovick presented what he labeled “Alternative B” that would yield two artificial turf fields at Mamaroneck High School and “Alternative C” that would produce three.

Alternative B: Add Turf & Lights at Memorial and Manchester

Alternative B called for reconfiguring Memorial Field to hold one multi-purpose turf field large enough for varsity football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. By moving the visitors’ bleachers and using a portion of land abutting the Mamaroneck Town Center slope, there might be room to hold three practices simultaneously.

Alternative B at Memorial Field: adds artificial turf and lights. Varsity football and all other field sports would fit.

The board has already had conversations with the Rinaldi family about the possible need to move or replace the field house dedicated to Mike Rinaldi. Any new field house would also be dedicated to Mr. Rinaldi.

Manchester Field would retain its track, which would run around a new turf field that would also be used for either baseball or for practices (but not varsity games) of other field sports. This plan calls for relocating the dugouts and using a removable or temporary dirt pitching mound.

Alternative B at Manchester Field: adds artificial turf and lights allowing varsity-level baseball and a practice field for other field sports.

The consultant estimates that adding artificial turf and lights would allow for double the current usage. He indicated that modern equipment keeps light from spilling onto neighboring properties.

Both Alternative B and C call for adding artificial turf , but not lights, at Central School, where there would be room for modified field sports, youth games and softball. Mr. Aniskovick reported that the current grass field, though relatively newly renovated, is now in need of extensive additional refurbishment.

Central School would get artificial turf but not lights. There is room for modified and youth teams.

Alternative C: Move the Track to Memorial Field

Mr. Aniskovich’s Alternative C would require greater dislocation, but would yield three all-weather varsity-sized turf playing fields on school property. Further, it would replace the current track with one that is regulation sized and shaped.

Under this plan, the track would be moved to Memorial Field where it would circle a turf field, as in Alternative B. This might require some removal of rock near the Town Center and the building of a retaining wall.

Alternative C at Memorial Field: places a regulation track around an artificial field large enough for varisty football and all other field sports.

Past boards have considered moving the track to free up space at Manchester Field, but this option was not considered feasible by consultants used at the time. It remains to be seen whether current conditions – whether geological, technological, financial or political – would allow for implementation of Alternative C or a similar scheme. Mr. Aniskovich was hopeful. “It does fit, but it’s a very tight,” he said.

Alternative C at Manchester Field: removes the track and adds artificial turf to provide room for varsity-level baseball and some field sports.

Next Steps for Fields at the Schools and in the Community

A “core group” consisting of School Board members Linnet Tse, Michael Jacobson and Richard Marsico along with Athletic Director Bari Suman will shepherd the proposal to the next stage. They will recruit two additional members from among the many community sports organizations to thoroughly study the options. Ms. Tse said they would be “rolling up their sleeves” to look at the designs from every aspect. They will also reach out to get input from all the interested parties – municipal officials, sports groups, veterans’ organizations and others.

At the same time, the board will be considering proposals from design consultants to prepare a feasibility study of each alternative. According to Board President Cecilia Absher, the plan is to select a firm in the next few weeks so the feasibility study can be completed this spring. The feasibility study will allow the School Board to attach price tags to each option, which will be critical in the decision on how to proceed.

School Board members will also be attending a roundtable discussion on Saturday, March 3, hosted by Fields for Kids. NY Assemblyman George Latimer will moderate.

A consultant hired by Field for Kids will share results of a comprehensive field survey and offer alternatives for adding and improving fields throughout the community – not just at the schools. The community will then have two separate sets of recommendations to consider – one from the schools’ consultant and one from Field for Kids.

These new ideas will add to ones already in the Village of Larchmont hopper. Larchmont officials are awaiting word – expected at any time – on the fate of their $2.2 million request to Westchester County’s Legacy program for adding a new artificial turf field at Flint Park. If the funds come through and the field gets built as envisioned, this would be the first artificial turf field for the tri-municipal area.

And judging from the intensity of interest by the School Board and Field for Kids, it’s likely there will be additional artificial turf fields in Larchmont/Mamaroneck’s future.

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