Private money sought to fund new field
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Writer

North Middlesex Regional Athletic Director Timothy McCormick hopes to raise a million dollars to upgrade the athletic field, extend the bleachers and repave the track.

McCormick approached the school committee on Monday, Nov. 13, to ask them to allow a private foundation be set up to raise money for the field.

The committee voted to direct the superintendent to investigate the steps to form a private foundation.

"It's going to take some time to get this going," McCormick said. "There are the initial costs for it, but in the long run it pays for itself."

Committee members expressed concerns about simply voting to establish the foundation with out legal documents and opinions before them.

"I think Tim's brought forth a good idea," committee member Arnold Silva said.

Silva was in agreement to wait until the December meeting to establish the foundation, though he supported the concept. He added that he's ready to help raise the money.

Two representatives from FieldTurf made a presentation to the committee about the benefits of synthetic turf.

"It is designed to replicate the best of natural fields," said John Caffeman of FieldTurf.

They emphasized several benefits: fewer injuries, an eight-week installation, that the surface can be plowed, and it has a longer-life span grass.

"I think it speaks for itself," McCormick said. "I think our athletes deserve the best possible facility."

School Committee member Sue Fitzgerald asked Caffeman whether there were any problems with overheating on the field or problems keeping the fields hygienically clean.

Caffman said a little bit of water sprayed on the field or a couple of buckets of cold water placed on the field reduced the heat significantly and for an extended period of time.

He also told the committee that if bodily floods end up on a grass field the bacteria took three days to die but on a synthetic field the bacteria were dead within 12 hours.

"We are the first choice from kindergarten to the pros," Caffeman said of the company that has done local fields such as Lunenburg High School.

McCormick said he doesn't think the project would require state bid processes if only privately raised money is used.