Glen Rock High School field fixes address drainage issue

Glen Rock High School athletic field contractor Turco Golf has corrected a previous error that caused water to pool on the synthetic surface of the lower soccer field over the summer, after draining down from the baseball field.

The situation, first disclosed at the Aug. 26 Board of Education meeting, was among several field-related issues discussed at that session, ranging from final "punch list" items to be completed in upcoming months, to the need for upgraded maintenance routines and security safeguards.

Business administrator Michael Rinderknecht and BOE Operations chair Rona McNabola addressed the previous contractor error at that session, noting that grading of the slope dropping to a swale between the baseball field and the lower soccer surface had not been executed according to engineer/architect specifications, contributing to the surface water issue.

In addition to correcting that mistake at no additional charge, Turco was asked to install additional drainage components to prevent further pooling. The BOE-requested add-on required approval of a $9,000 change order at the same meeting.

After noting the water formations and related mud and debris deposits after heavy summer rains, Rinderknecht said, "We ended up getting an engineer out to inspect the area, and found out that when they (Turco) built the swale, they did not build it in accord with specifications. It actually had more of a pitch and slope to it, so when we had heavy rain, water gushed down and left mud on the lower soccer field. We then asked the contractor to go back and (rebuild) it in accordance with the original bid specifications."

Officials also decided to further enhance the correction by installing two additional drains - one "swale" drain in the middle of the re-cast formation, and a conventional fixture along the path from the complex to Cornwall Avenue - "as a precaution" requiring the new work order. This Monday, McNabola confirmed that the grade correction and new drain installations have now been completed.

In her Aug. 26 Operations report, McNabola also broached the new maintenance requirements posed by the complex, given the synthetic surfaces at the all-purpose and lower soccer venues, and the new sod infield and upgraded dirt surfaces at the baseball field.

"These fields are very different in every aspect from what we had before, so we have to set up an entirely different maintenance plan," she said, noting that buildings and grounds supervisor Sandy Marinos was addressing the issue. Rinderknecht concurred, saying, "I'm very comfortable that we have an appropriate maintenance (regimen) in place."

He said steps have already been taken to monitor and address littering and other cosmetic issues that had sullied the facilities during the summer.

"We have arranged with (custodial contractor) Aramark to go out and inspect and clean the area on a daily basis," picking up debris and using blowers to clear field surfaces and sidewalks, he said.

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Glen Rock High School field fixes address drainage issue