Schools Hope for Help to Re-Turf Fields

Westfield Public Schools officials plan to ask the Town of Westfield if they can work together to upgrade some of the schools' athletic fields that are also used for town programs, in order to combine their limited financial resources.

The Board of Education hopes to select some fields for artificial turfs, as refurbishing fields in the past has been a "losing battle" because the fields are used year-round for various sports and activities, said board member Richard Solomon.

"Multiple fields need significant work," he said.

The top contenders for artificial turf are part of the field behind Edison Intermediate School or behind Tamaques Elementary School, he said at Tuesday's board meeting, while discussing a study of the conditions of the district's fields.

"We're looking forward to reaching out to the town and community groups because the fields are all used by the same kids," said board member Jane Clancy. "It was difficult to look through this field study and know we don't have the funds to do all of it."

The field most in need was at Jefferson Elementary School, where they noted giant rocks and holes in the field.

"We decided to place our highest priority on the safety of the children who use it," Solomon said.