Township: Plan for HS Turf Fields is a Partnership, Not a Precedent

For those involved, it is not about setting a precedent, but about working together to achieve a common goal—to give high school and recreational teams alike more space to play.

Township Administrator Jim Naples said he believes a cooperative effort between the township and school district to create turf fields at Bridgewater-Raritan High School would be very beneficial to the township and residents in general.

"In these economic times, it is difficult to get any money," he said. "This has not been done before, but, at the end of the day, it is all taxpayer money."

On July 19, the Bridgewater Township Council approved an ordinance to allocate up to $3 million from its Open Space Trust Fund for either the creation of turf fields at Bridgewater-Raritan High School or to make repairs to Harry Ally Memorial Park on Grand Boulevard. Most residents speaking out at the meeting said they preferred to have the turf fields created to benefit the local sports programs.

But one resident had a concern about setting a precedent by allowing for township money to be used to create school fields.

Still, Naples said that that is not what is actually happening, and that it is a joint effort between the two entities to create something that can be used by the schools during the day and the recreation teams—which are sponsored by the township—at night.

"We are not talking about something the school would build with our money," he said. "The school would lease us the property."

From there, Naples said, both the township and school district would contribute funds toward the construction of the fields, as could several outside recreation teams—namely soccer and lacrosse—that have raised money in the past for such ventures.

Council President Matt Moench emphasized that the township is not giving anything to the school district, but that the two are in negotiations to work out an agreement.

"The idea of partnering is a good thing for Bridgewater," he said. "We share when it is appropriate. It would be a problem if we were donating the money for the needs of the school."

Moench said the township and school district have been working together for years on different projects, sharing fields for both the school sports and recreational activities. He said he believes that creating the turf fields would allow the areas to be used to their full potential.

At this time, Naples said, consultants have estimated that the project would cost about $1.5 million.

"The school provides the land because it has the infrastructure," he said. "The land is in use, and, because it's at the high school, you can't beat the location."

Although Naples said he does not remember this kind of cooperative deal ever having been done before, he believes it is a smart move, and might be beneficial moving forward.

"In the future, it will all be cooperative work," he said.

The negotiations are still underway between the district and township, but Naples said they are moving forward as quickly as possible to hopefully get the project going.

As for Harry Ally Memorial Park, Moench said, the council is not opposed to making repairs there, but it is looking at how to get the best opportunity for the money spent.

"The residents are not wrong that we need to look at improvements in the parks," he said. "But the turf fields are the best bang for the buck."

Where Harry Ally Memorial Park would sit dormant during the day, Moench said, the turf fields at the high school could be used all day, every day.

"It is a good thing for Bridgewater," he said. "Any opportunity to work with the schools or neighboring towns, and where we can share services, is what we want to do when it won't have a negative effect."

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder declined to comment on the situation while the agreement is still in negotiations between the township and district.