InsideKaty

The latest word in Katy with Helen Eriksen

Posted on July 14, 2009 |

If the weather holds up, the installation of artificial turf on six Katy ISD high school campuses should be finalized in August, just in time for football season.

The project was approved by the board in April and kicked into high gear as soon as school let out in June. District officials estimate the work will wrap up around Aug. 10. You can read more about the work here.

The estimated cost is $5.2 million to lay artificial turf on Cinco Ranch, Katy, Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, Seven Lakes and Taylor high school football competition fields.

People passing by these schools have seen the fields coming together piece by piece as contractors have been working through the various stages of the project.

Katy ISD is growing and that growth has spurred the need for additional high-quality playing fields. District officials say on average, 547 student-athletes per campus play on practice and competition fields at the six high schools.

Bill Moore, the district’s chief financial officer, estimates that there will be more than 58,000 pupils in the district in 2009-10.

The artificial turf can take much higher usage, provide a more consistent surface and even pays for itself over its lifespan because it doesn’t need much maintenance or any soil, seed and water, school officials have said.

I believe many parents and students welcome this transformation but not everyone is aboard this train. Critics, who say they favor natural grass, have cited potential environmental hazards and are skeptical about the long-term costs. They say the fake turf is not inexpensive nor as “low maintenance” as the district contends.

What are your thoughts about this project in respect to water and energy use, maintenance costs and environmental health?