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Reporter questions plan to irrigate synthetic fields
14 Feb, 2009 Athletic Turf NewsSAN DIEGO — Michael Turko of KUSI News here reported that the San Diego School District is about to spend thousands of dollars — approximately $30,000-$35,000 for each of eight fields — on sprinkler systems for artificial turf athletic fields. That's about $250,000 at a time when the State of California is facing its biggest budget deficit ever, and is imposing stringent ourdoor irrigation restrictions in anticipation of dwindling supplies of fresh water.
Turfgrass, of course, requires regular irrigation, and while the synthetic fields will require less, most knowledgeable sports field managers see little benefit from irrigating artificial turf, at least for the purpose of cooling it to allow for strenous play during hot sunny days. They do, however, recommend having a reliable source of water at the fields, mostly for cleaning and sanitation purposes.
Tests have shown that its solar energy that heats an artificial turf surface. Once that is removed, synthetic turf cools rapidly. Some communities now restrict play on artificial turf fields when their surface reaches temperatures reach what they consider to be unsafe.
Turko says his investigation shows the money for the San Diego project was buried in the huge Proposition "S" bond program for school improvements.
The school district says putting in sprinkler systems on artificial turf makes sense. And they claim it was included in the voter information on the two billion dollar Prop "S" bond program.
Turko, reporting for KUSI, said couldn't find it, but they're moving ahead with the plan in spite of the statewide water crisis.
To watch Turko's report, click here.
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