The turf and track at Great Bend High School’s Memorial Stadium have lasted far beyond their warranties, due to good maintenance, Superintendent Khris Thexton told the school board recently. But they are due for resurfacing and on Monday the board authorized the administration to get the project rolling, with an estimated cost of $2 million, using the sports construction firm Hellas.
That’s the same company that installed turf for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and the baseball field at Barton Community College, Assistant Superintendent John Popp said.
Hellas also did the turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex, board member Chris Umphres said. “It’s top-of-the-line stuff.”
The cost will depend in part on whether the base below the track surface is sound, but the initial proposal allows about $1 million for contingencies. Even if the base is sound, there are other upgrades that could be added on, Popp said.
With many options to consider, the administrators talked to four different companies. Rather than an open bid process, all of the firms offer their contracts or procurement processes at the state bid price.
“They each have a little bit different product. It’s hard to compare apples to apples,” Popp said.
“We’re pretty confident that with the size of cracks in the track, we’re going to have to go down beyond just the coating. We’re going to have to go down and maybe even do some foundational work on the track. That’s going to be an additional cost,” he said.
While the work is being done, other improvements could be considered. The “D”-shaped area between the north end of the track and the north end of the football field is turf now but the administration would like the entire area to be track surface. Another desired upgrade, if money allows, is Cushdrain, Popp said. That is a product that improves the field’s drainage and shock absorption. It is considered a safety feature.
By filling in the “D zone,” there could be a bigger high jump area and more room for other track activities. One rendering has marked “exchange zones” for track relays. The long jump pit and pole vault pit could be redone.
Regional track meets possible
Activities Director Matt Westerhaus said he talked to GBHS Football Coach Erin Beck as well as GBHS Track & Field Coach Lyles Lashley, who is in favor of the improved “D zone.” “It allows us to host a regional track meet,” he said.
The cost breakdown approved Monday is:
• $409,900 for the track surface
• $589,840 for the football field surface
• $1 million for “owner allowance,” including contingencies and upgrades
The total of $1,999,740 was rounded up to $2 million by the school board. Money will come from the capital outlay fund and has previously been earmarked for track and turf replacement, Popp said.
He believes the D Zone and the Cushdrain could be added and still stay under $2 million.
With Monday’s approval to proceed with Hellas, Popp said, “they do have a guarantee that they’d be done before our first football game (in 2023). They’d start right at the end of May, whenever we’re done with it for track and graduation.”
Other concerns
The old material is typically removed by the installing firm, which then sells 15-by-80-yard strips of used turf. The board discussed the possibility of keeping some of the old turf to use on open play areas such as the one at Riley Elementary School.
There were other possible additions to the proposal, including cleaning. “We have our own cleaners, so I’m not sure if we’d move forward with that,” Popp said. Work on the long jump pit and the addition of new goalposts are other possibilities. The current goalposts have started to tilt at times, so “it wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Popp said.
Should the costs exceed $2 million, additional board approval would be needed.
School Board President Jacquie Disque commented on the importance of the track and field outside of district use. People in the community use it all of the time.
After the work, “it will still be open for anybody to use,” Popp assured her.
Thexton said the turf on the field has lasted for 14 years.
