Two weeks ago, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) tabled awarding a contract for the Indian River Field artificial turf project in order to get more information on the cost estimates. Last week, during an at-times rancorous BOS meeting, project designer Bill Aniskovich of WBA Group fielded questions, leading to the eventual approval of both the site preparation and turf installation.

The board had previously met on June 8 to discuss and take possible action on awarding the contract to Coastline Construction Company in the amount of $379,000 for site work. At that meeting, Selectman Carol Walter was concerned that the cost of the project was already over the $985,000 bonding cost, which was one of the projects in the $9.38 million bonding package that was approved in April. The board decided to wait on a decision until it could hear from Aniskovich.

The bid that Aniskovich presented to the board on June 15 totaled $379,000 for site preparation; the turf installation will be $408,678. WBA Group fees were $107,500.

The board voted to award the site preparation contract to Coastline Construction Company. It also voted and agreed to award Sprinturf the contract for installing the turf field.

"This amount includes the Ultrablade MM [artificial turf] with thatch zone, the artificial turf in the team area, the green coated SBR infill [Cool Fill], and the 'Huskey Dog center field logo,'" said Sprinturf President Webb Cook.

By combining the $379,000 for site work, $408,678 project cost, and the $107,500 that was already allocated to the WBA Group, the overall project total is estimated at $895,178, leaving $89,822 still available in contingency for "unforeseen construction costs," said Parks & Recreation Committee Chair Joe Schettino.

"This project is a complete project," Schettino said. "When it's done, it has the playing field, the border around the playing field, the new ADA-required access, the bleachers being moved to the center of the field, the fencing, the ball safety system-all of the things that we anticipated after those numbers came out, we fit under the bonding figure."

The field is already equipped with the bleachers, fencing, and scoreboard.

"This [field] is 82,000 square feet. A standard field, when you're just projecting the price, is generally [priced] on 80,000 square feet," Schettino said, noting that the board also chose to include a 10-foot run-off of the same material as the sidelines.

The project will also put a different material in the area where the players sit and wait to avoid the usual, muddy condition that arises. The field is going to be lined for soccer, field hockey, and boys and girls lacrosse. It could also be used for football.