HELEN ERIKSEN, CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT | July 13, 2009

Photo By Suzanne Rehak/For the Chronicle Jose Martinez of Hellas Construction Inc. uses a cutter to make a ridge around the track. 1 of 3

Construction workers have been busy destroying natural grass fields and stabilizing the ground to complete a $5.2 million artificial turf installation project in time for the start of football season at six high schools in the Katy Independent School District.

Scores of residents have been stopping by Taylor High School, where work is progressing, to take a look at the project.

District officials say with the recent stretch of good weather the work is on schedule to revamp the competition fields by Aug. 10, and the job is also within budget.

“In fact, because of favorable pricing on the turf, the project is costing significantly less than similar projects bid by districts last year,” school district spokesman Steve Stanford said. “We are hopeful that the favorable weather will continue as with any construction project any long periods of rain could cause delays.”

The district has selected Hellas Construction Inc., an Austin-based sports surfacing contractor, to oversee the project. Steps include excavation of the old fields and stabilization, Stanford said. Stabilization involves creating a sub-surface for the turf through compaction that will provide adequate drainage and support, he said.

Other steps involve installing perimeter drainage, placing impermeable plastic liners on top of the soil, and putting in place field drainage systems, Stanford said. Two campuses, Mayde Creek and Taylor, also needed to have concrete curbs constructed, he said.

The final steps will involve rolling out the synthetic turf and installing the sand and rubber infill.

The turf installation is being done in phases at the six schools. Work should be substantially completed by Monday at Taylor, Morton Ranch, Mayde Creek and Katy high schools. The synthetic turf has been ordered and field stabilization and excavation has been completed at these schools. At Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes high schools, work should wrap up by Aug. 10, officials say.

District officials have said the artificial fields will be easier and cheaper to maintain than natural grass. But Cliff Johnson, who lives near Taylor High School, said he is not convinced that investing funds in artificial turf is the best course for the district.

“I am not sold on the concept that our $5.2 million investment will be recouped through lower maintenance expenses and cost savings,” Johnson said.

District officials say that reducing labor expenditures, and avoiding costs for water, irrigation supplies, seeds, sod/sprigs paint, topdressing, fertilizers and herbicides, will bring substantial savings.

“The upkeep of the new fields will be much simpler as all that will be required is the occasional grooming of the infill,” Stanford said.

Maintenance workers will drive a tractor over the field with a special tool attached, he said.

“This will allow us to re-purpose more than 2,000 man-hours annually for athletic field maintenance,” Stanford said.

In addition to the reduction in man-hours, the district anticipates avoiding maintenance costs of about $150,000 per field over the 10-year life of each field, Stanford said.

“This translates to about $1 million in general fund savings over 10 years for the six fields combined,” he said. “There is also an environmental benefit as we will be using less water and chemicals.”

School officials say the major change for athletes is that the surface will be softer and more stable than grass. In Katy ISD, players are accustomed to synthetic turf at Rhodes Stadium as well as other venues where teams compete.

Rusty Dowling, Katy ISD executive director of athletics, told board members in April that the current high school fields are hazardous and that the risk of injuries would be reduced with artificial turf.