By Natasha Harlankar

Photo by Nick Gardner

In spite of furlough days, larger class sizes and cost-cutting across the board, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District was still able to install new turf on football fields at three different high schools over the summer.

The school district spent $654,000 on each of the new fields at Cal, San Ramon Valley, and Monte Vista high schools, said district spokesperson Terry Koehne.

Dougherty Valley was the only high school in the district where a new field was not installed because the school opened in 2007 and had relatively new turf.

Although the district installed three new fields in 2002, costing about $1.85 million, they were replaced over the summer because of safety concerns.

Some students believe this money would have been better spent elsewhere.

“This field is the improper use of the money we have,” said senior Naseem Golabi.  “Maybe we could have used the money for teachers and our education.”

But spending the money elsewhere was not an option.

All three of the fields were funded by Measure A, a school construction bond that was passed in November 2002 by voters in the community.  It provided the district with $260 million specifically to be used for facility upgrades.

Cal was allotted $42 million to be used on the construction of the main building and other projects around campus.

The decision to add the new field was made in January.

The field was due for an overhaul because of the bad condition of the old turf.

“The old field was a major safety concern,” said Eileen Mantz, Cal’s former athletic director.  “There were chunks coming out and bubbles rippling like waves throughout the field.”

Mantz said the new field is beneficial for both athletes and students.

“The new turf is easier on players’ joints and will prevent twisted ankles and knees,” said Mantz.

But the impact is not visible to all.

The new turf hasn’t really made a difference in how the players play, said Lenard Matthews, a JV football coach and PE teacher

Even though the field will prevent injuries, some students don’t think that the field is worth the cost.

“The field is nice but it wasn’t worth the money the district spent on it,” said freshman Samra Anees. “Normal grass would have been better.”

Other students agreed.

“Given the current economy and the situation of budget cuts, it seems sort of like a waste of money when the money can be put in other pursuits,” junior Erica Tsai said.

Other people expressed different thoughts about the construction of the field.

“The new field is spongy and the turf is made of better material,” said junior Bryan Williamson, who plays on the varsity football team.

The field was completely redone and new and better turf was added, said Mantz.

Each blade was woven into the material, preventing the turf from fraying anymore.

“This is a new and improved technology,” said Koehne.