Pilot Point's baseball field will soon be covered in artificial turf following the Pilot Point ISD board's 5-1 vote approving the change with Paragon Sports Constructors selected as the contractor.
PSC Vice President Bret Allen, business development representative Tim Buchanan and natural grass manager Kyle Robertson answered the trustees' questions regarding the different options presented: a fully natural field, a 50/50 mix of turf and natural field, and a full artificial turf field.
“The Pilot Point High School baseball field is in need of repair for a number of reasons,” Dr. Brant Perry said. “First and foremost, the surface, which poses significant safety concerns in the outfield, in the infield, around the pitching mound, in and around home plate. … This issue requires immediate attention.”
Trustee Amy McEvoy, who ultimately was the lone no vote, brought up concerns about construction consequences for the neighboring properties next to the field, possible drainage changes in an area that already has difficulties with flooding and lack of parking if more people wanted to come to the games because of the improved quality of the field.
She also questioned how the district would fund the more than $1 million project, which will be out of fund balance, and whether the board should wait until it can build a new field at the future high school site.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Fuller explained that with the current growth models and other financial factors, the district would likely be about eight years out from being able to break ground on a new high school, meaning the baseball field on Liberty Street would still need to be usable for around a decade.
That time frame also roughly coincides with the life cycle of a turf field.
“There is secondary time that we could use it as well,” President Renee Polk said. “If a new high school is built and we build a new stadium there for baseball, then it can become a practice field. It can be shared with PPYSA for their uses as well.”
When asked about the possible difference in injury incidence, Buchanan said there isn't a significant difference.
He also pointed out that the maintenance, which is usually handled by coaches, for a turf field is much quicker, giving them more time to focus on their work as coaches and educators.
A natural field would only be the company's responsibility for a 30-day period after completion because of possible maintenance shortcomings, Buchanan added.
“Kyle builds a great natural grass field, but it's going to [be] determined a lot by who—it's going to be great for 30 days,” he said. “That's all we'll guarantee. We'll guarantee [the full turf] one for eight years.”
Trustee Justin Chance asked about the size of the logos included in the proposal, which the PSC representatives said were intentional because of the height of the stands.
Also at the meeting, Floyd was recognized for “earning her registered Texas School Business Administrator certification through the Texas Association for School Business Officials,” as Director of Human Resources Valerie Wall said.
“Her dedication to continuous learning and excellence in school finance ensures that Pilot Point ISD remains fiscally responsible and focused on school success, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our team,” Wall said.
Alicia Bonnett also presented the district and campus goals that were formulated using the strategic plan the district has developed, which were adopted by the school board.
The district will also be starting new Facebook and Instagram pages after its current pages were suspended and not able to be recovered.
The district will reconvene the bond steering committee at 6 p.m. July 29 at the Pilot Point High School cafeteria to take another look at the district's future needs.
Abigail Allen/The Post-Signal
