Farmington Parents Lead Grassroots Initiative to Bring Turf Field to FHS

He said that he and other parents have been discussing the idea for the past six months. The superintendent has informally supported the idea, he said. The group of supporters wants to apply for a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant through the State Bond Commission. They also want to explore other grant opportunities and keep the community informed and involved in the process.

“The bidding climate is good," Taylor said. "We have to apply for it and go and lobby for it at the state capital.”

It would be an investment in Farmington athletics and the community and could even make the high school a contender to host major events like CIAC tournament games, Taylor said. 

“The lights have come because of organized groups like yourselves that have come forward with initiatives," Town Council Chairman Jeffrey Hogan told him at the Town Council meeting on May 14. "A turf field would serve us particularly well.”

“Normally we call it a grassroots program," Town Councilman CJ Thomas quipped about what to call this turf initiative.

Town Councilwoman Nancy Nickerson also supported the idea so that Farmington can be more competitive with other schools that have turf fields. Hogan also noted that many college sports are played on turf.

“I think it really is a disadvantage to the teams at this point because many schools have one or two turf fields," she said. "The playing can be constant."

“Play could be unlimited at some point," Taylor said.

Town Councilwoman Patty Stoddard said that the field hockey team's senior night in the fall was at Trinity College and that it would have been night to hold it at Farmington High School. 

A turf field could last up to about 10 years and would mean low maintenance costs, he said. He said that having one would reduce transportation costs to off-campus fields and added that there are less injuries on turf fields.

“Artificial turf is much more durable than grass," Taylor said. 

Turf would allow the football team to practice on the game field at the high school. The team currently practices on the lower field in efforts to preserve the field's condition for games, he said. With turf instead of grass, there would be a reduction in slippery mud, he said.

“The idea would be we’d practice on the turf field and play on the turf field," Taylor said.

There are many people who could use a turf field. Currently, Taylor said there are about 100 football players, 60 field hockey athletes, 70 girls lacrosse players and 80 boys, 50 track and field athletes and 50 marching band musicians that play at halftime shows for the football games and rehearse on the field. Not to mention, there are about 900 physical education students that need to use the field for some classes. The Farmington MudHogs football league and youth lacrosse could also benefit from having a turf field, he said.

Town Councilman John Vibert, who has a daughter who plays field hockey, said, “I would endorse this effort.” 

He asked why soccer wasn't mentioned in the presentation. Varsity soccer games are currently played on Al Bell Field at Tunxis Mead, the home of Farmington soccer from recreational and travel leagues to high school play. Taylor replied that the football field would not be large enough for high school soccer.

“Soccer has seemed to have an interest of staying down at Tunxis," Taylor said.

The discussions are in the preliminary stages, but what do you think? Is it time for a turf field at Farmington High School? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments!