Peabody playing field conditions create messy situation

PEABODY – Last week’s muddy Thanksgiving Day football game was the last straw for a few Peabody locals who have wanted for years to make drastic improvements to the city’s athletic fields.”We are just thoroughly disgusted with the fields up at the high school,” said John Goulas, one of several members of the new fields committee. “We have outstanding athletes and outstanding athletic programs out there?but if you look at the field, you wouldn’t let your dog out there.”According to Goulas, both football teams played in mud up to their ankles after heavy rains flooded the grass field. He was surprised that no one got hurt.Peabody Health and Athletic Director Phil Sheridan said that because of the ledge throughout the field, it’s difficult for it to dry up this time of year. Sometimes it can take more than a week before it reaches prime conditions again.”When it rains, the water has nowhere to drain so it just sits there,” said Goulas.What he and his eight-member committee hope to do is bring artificial turf to Peabody. At the top of their priority list is the high school’s football field, which has been in place since the school was built back in the early 1970s. Goulas said that because of budget restraints, the city has yet to be able to truly upgrade the field.”We’re always just patching it,” he said.The group, consisting of former student athletes, coaches and athletic directors, would also like to replace the fields used for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, as well as the outfield of the baseball field.”We’re investigating possible state grants,” explained Goulas, who estimated the cost of the project at $10 million. “We may not be successful. We realize now that with this economy, we have a huge uphill battle.”The group has yet to hold an official meeting, but has already gained the unanimous support of the School Committee, Mayor Michael Bonfanti and Sheridan.”I would love for this to happen,” said Sheridan.Sheridan said that making the switch to artificial turf would make a world of a difference to both the athletes and to taxpayers who front the bill for maintaining the field.”For years, there would be no water costs to water the grass, no lawn cutting costs, and very little, if any, paint costs,” he explained, adding that the department uses an entire tub of paint each time they repaint the field, which can cost hundreds of dollars.He said that maintaining a grass field over 10-15 years would run about $100-$150 per use. That cost would drop significantly to $50 per use with synthetic turf.”And, you’re not having kids going onto fields that are so swampy they’re going to get hurt,” he said.Goulas said another benefit of having artificial turf is the appeal to those outside of the community wanting to rent an outdoor space. He said that income could be put back into the fields, athletic programs and coaches.”We’re not trying to point any fingers, just trying to get involved,” he said.