Sandpoint set to select turf infill

SANDPOINT — From cork to corkonut, there are a number of infill options to choose from when it comes to artificial turf.

It will be up to council members next week to decide which infill will be used when the artificial turf is installed at War Memorial Field when construction starts in the spring.

“A critical early decision in the design process, which is slated to be completed by February, 2020, is the selection of a natural infill product,” city officials said in a statement this week.

Council members approved the design concept for Memorial Field proposed by the city’s consultants, GreenPlay, LLC, in October, which includes artificial turf among a number of other improvements. A professional services agreement with Bernardo Wills Architects was subsequently approved by council in November to complete the design for Memorial Field.

The consultants were instructed by city officials to look at natural infill options only and , according to the statement, a matrix was developed comparing six different options — natural rubber and cork, cellulose fibers, cork, olive pits/walnut shells, corkonut and wood. The matrix compares heat reduction, added maintenance, ease of cleaning, warranty and costs among other variables.

The natural rubber and cork, according to the matrix, reportedly reduces surface heat — as do all of the listed options — and also reduces field temperature by up to 10 degrees, is low maintenance, has good drainage and is non-toxic among other advantages. It has a warranty of eight to 12 years and is the cheapest option at $2.39 per square foot, for a total of $348,580.

Cellulose fibers, made of recycled paper and sand/pea gravel, is also reported to reduce surface heat and field temperature. It has many of the same advantages of natural rubber and cork, though it is a little more difficult to clean and comes with a higher cost of $3.05 per square foot, for a total of $444,842. Cork, which is mixed with sand, reduces temperatures, is easy to clean, has an eight-year warranty, and is readily available. It has, however, been reported to plug up and affect drainage, and the surface may freeze, creating a hard field in the colder climates, according to the matrix. Cost is $2.55 per square foot, for a total of $371,917. The olive pitts/walnut shell option is comparable to cork, with many of the same advantages and disadvantages with the exception of the freezing surface, but also has a limited history of use. Cost is $3.15 per square foot, for a total of $459,427.

Corkonut is a mixture of coconut and cork, with claims of being up to 40 degrees cooler than other infills, though it must be kept watered to achieve that result, according to the matrix. Corkonut has similar characteristics to natural turf, according to the matrix, though it has a higher maintenance cost as it needs replenished every three to four years. The cost is $2.95 per square foot, for a total of $430,257. The final option, wood, is reportedly 20 degrees cooler than rubber, with claims of being up to 40 degrees cooler with adequate moisture, according to the matrix. Corkonut and wood are both “moderate to challenging” when it comes to ease of cleaning. The wood infill also has similar characteristics to natural turf, according to the matrix, but is untested in the Pacific Northwest and has the potential to freeze. Cost is $2.56 per square foot, for a total of $373,376.

The full matrix and product samples are on display at Sandpoint city hall for public viewing, and will remain there until the council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, 1123 Lake St.

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The Memorial Field improvements date back to 2015 when the city passed its 1-percent local option tax. As approved by voters, the priorities for the tax are:

- Priority one: War Memorial Field grandstand project as designed by Sewell & Associates;

- Priority two: Replace drainage and field surface at War Memorial Field;

- Priority three: Repair and replacement of War Memorial Field infrastructure; and

- Priority four: Improve parks infrastructure

Priority one improvements, including the grandstand project and other infrastructure upgrades allowed under priority three, were completed in 2017. While the grandstand and infrastructure improvements were being made, a field surface review committee was formed and met for a year and a half to consider field turf options, according to the statement. That work began with review of an initial turf option cost study in 2015. Two public meetings and a council workshop were held in 2018 to discuss field options. There was no clear committee or community consensus as a result of those efforts relative to a turf preference, according to the statement.

A significant issue that was identified throughout the discussions and analysis was the lack of availability/playability of Memorial Field and other fields at the sports complex due to weather conditions and the needed recovery time for a natural surface from the use related to activities such as the Festival at Sandpoint, according to the statement. A final decision was delayed to allow for revenues from the LOT to be collected and a broader parks and recreation master planning effort to begin. In April of this year, the city contracted with GreenPlay, LLC, to lead that planning effort, which includes site-specific designs for five properties — City Beach and the downtown waterfront, War Memorial Field, the sports complex (Travers, Centennial and Great Northern parks), and the city-owned watershed.

GreenPlay and its subcontractor Bernardo Wills Architects conducted an updated field analysis and feasibility review of the turf at Memorial Field and the sports complex as part of their scope of work. They also held several focus groups, stakeholder and community meetings to inform their design concepts. As a result of these efforts, GreenPlay and Bernardo Wills Architects developed the design concept for War Memorial Field that was presented to the community and Sandpoint City Council at their Oct. 2 meeting.

The design concept incorporated their recommendation of an artificial turf field and other site improvements to maximize usability of the park space — including water access/recreation — and reduce impacts on the neighborhood. According to the statement, it was noted during GreenPlay’s presentations that the diverse activities of the Festival at Sandpoint and sports play on a natural surface, particularly given the short period of transition time of one to three weeks, were incompatible for appropriate maintenance, safety and health of a natural field surface. On Oct. 16, council considered the facts presented, as well as public input, and ultimately approved the design concept with artificial turf field and other improvements.

Council approved the professional services agreement with Bernardo Wills Architects on Nov. 20 to complete design for Memorial Field, including the artificial surface, parking and other improvements. The final design of the field improvements is scheduled to be completed by February 2020 with a construction contract expected to be awarded in March. The field construction is planned to accommodate the Festival by July 31, and playable use of the fields in August.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.