On Oct. 25, the Methacton School Board unanimously approved the proj­ect to install two synthetic turf fields at MHS. The project also includes the installation of stadium lights; however, the board must come to an agreement with Worcester Township officials be­fore the lights can be installed.

In an e-mail before the board vote, School Board President Marijane Bar­bone said the district has been inter­ested in purchasing turf for three years.

‘We investigated it, and were very in­terested in pursuing it, but we were in the middle of and near completion of several district building projects. We did not have the financial resources, and did not have the ability to borrow money at that time. The board heard presentations from turf companies, and we visited surrounding school districts. We all were in agreement that it would be great to have the turf, but could not financially support it at the time.’

Although the district did not have the financial means to purchase turf in past years, Barbone said that now is the opportune time because of the district’s current financial position.

‘District administration has come to us at this time to let us know that we have the opportunity to borrow money at very low interest rates to fund the fields,’ Barbone said. ‘That, in con­junction with the ‘refinancing’ of some of our other debt, makes this a much better time financially to pursue the field improvements. The Board has also directed administration to pursue fi­nancial support from the business com­munity and alumni, to help fund this project, to ease the tax burden on our community.’

School District spokeswoman Angela Linch said the project, which is esti­mated to cost $3.5 million, includes turf fields at the stadium and an additional multi-purpose field. New grandstands, concession stands and restrooms will also be built. The stadium lights are not included in this cost.

Representatives of local youth organi­zations and sports teams told the school board at the Oct. 25 meeting that they would try to raise funds to help defray the cost.

Barbone said the district recognizes that issues such as safety and mainte­nance of grass fields can be rectified by installing turf.

‘We have tried to implement a better field maintenance plan, but since there are many factors that are out of our con­trol—weather, either too much rain, or not enough rain—our fields continue to have major issues,’ she said.

Student athletes have not been timid in hiding their annoyance with the condition of Methacton’s grass fields. The cross country team refers to the grounds as ‘The Swamp,’ which is an indication of how oversaturated the fields can become, even days after in­clement weather.

Jordyn Slocum, a junior on the girls varsity soccer team, is one of the many student athletes who are extremely frustrated with Methacton’s fields.

‘Turf can be used for every sport, and it would save the school money from not having to keep the fields nice. It would be a lot safer for all of the players,’ she said.

Parents argue that grass fields are det­rimental to Methacton because many athletes have rolled their ankles, pulled muscles, suffered from shin splints and hurt themselves in countless other ways. Also, when games are played at other schools that use turf, Methacton student athletes are at a disadvantage because they are not used to playing on the man-made surface.

Hundreds of students and parents packed the Oct. 25 meeting at Wood­land Elementary School to voice their opinions. Meredith Dickinson, parent of a student athlete at Methacton and also a former Methacton field hockey coach and player, was among those who pressed for the School Board to take control of the issue.

‘It is not acceptable to expect our stu­dents to participate on fields that are dangerous and un-playable at times,’ Dickinson said in an interview before the meeting. ‘These fields are unsafe and put the students of Methacton High School and the visiting teams’ students in danger of injury.’ Barbone agreed that purchasing turf would only benefit the school and its students.

‘I personally feel that we should get the fields for two main reasons: safety of all of our student athletes, and to keep our school district’s facilities competitive with surrounding districts,’ she said.

‘Another reason that weighs in with me is our high school has been attempting to increase school spirit and pride in our school. I do feel that the improve­ments in our fields will definitely help that cause.’

It still could be some time before the turf fields are installed and ready for use. A committee of school board and administration members will recom­mend an architect or engineer to be hired by the board, according to Super­intendent Timothy J. Quinn.

The firm then would develop plans for the project, which would have to be put out for bid and would require approval by the school board and other government agencies. The school board's Property Committee will discuss the project at its Nov. 1 meeting.