New fields proposed for high schools

School board considering artificial turf to save energy

Proponents say it’s a long time coming.

Coaches and athletes at Lawrence’s two high schools are celebrating a school board decision Monday night that paves the way for improvements to the district’s outdoor sports fields.

“This has been a long, magical mystery tour to try to get this far,” board member Scott Morgan said.

Many more decisions loom, as administrators get more information about how to finance about $12.2 million worth of improvements at practice fields.

The biggest overhaul would occur at Lawrence High School, where administrators are looking at adding softball, baseball and soccer fields. The plan also calls for moving the city’s Tennis Center to a site at the former Centennial School and adding artificial turf to fields at Free State.

Administrators next will present a list of projects, including an elementary maintenance backlog, to the Kansas Energy Office. Officials there will decide what projects qualify for an energy efficiency loan. Artificial turf, for example, would reduce the amount of watering and mowing required.

“It’s so hard to know where to start. We have to start someplace, and things could shift around quite a bit,” said Mary Rodriguez, district chief operations officer.

Board members on Monday voted to designate $2.4 million left over from the 2005 bond issue to help improve athletics facilities.

The district still is talking with Haskell Indian Nations University about improving Haskell Stadium, home to both schools’ football teams.