Friends of Walpole Community Athletic Complex

FAQs

Who are the Friends of Walpole Community Athletic Complex?

The FWCAC is a group of Walpole residents organized to raise private contributions and grants to construct and to donate to the Town of Walpole a renovated track and field complex that will reestablish Walpole High School as the center for community fitness activity for many years to come.

What's wrong with the current field? Why do we need a new facilities?

It is dangerous, dirty, rock-hard when it is dry and changes to sloppy mud when it is wet...other than that, it is a great field! A new track and field would open the field use to many more groups than simply the football program. A synthetic field surface would not require fertilization, re-seeding, striping or watering, allowing the Parks Department to focus their limited budget and efforts elsewhere.

> See YouTube Video hosted by Gene Lavanchy

The existing track and Turco field have deteriorated due to age (25+ years), heavy use and stringent maintenance budgets. The track, while adequate for walkers, is functionally obsolete for competitive high school use as it is in poor condition and does not provide sufficient lanes to hold track meets. The field, which was originally intended for various light use activities as well as for the heavy use of the high school football team, is now used not only by the football team, but by the lacrosse teams, youth football and youth lacrosse. It no longer receives the two seasons of rest required, and the wear and tear shows.

How is the progress coming? Is it on schedule?

We are mostly on schedule, but as of the beginning of the 2007 school year, there is still work to be done. We are expecting to play football and other sports on the field in October of 2007. See photos of the progress here

Here is a recent Walpole Times Article: Click Here

How is the turf made?

The manufacture of the turf is a proven technique that has been perfected by
A Turf, the supplier for the Walpole Field. (www.aturf.com) Here is a summary from their website:

There are 2 backings that keep the fibers locked to the field. It is permeable and will drain quickly. It also provides stiffness so that the athletes don't feel like they are sinking and the surface stays level and straight.There are two methods of assembling the turf rolls into a monolithic field: We use a wide seam tape with a long proven adhesive when adhering seams and durable thread with state-of-the-art sewing equipment when sewing seams.

INFILL
A-Turf is very particular about the volume, cleanliness, size and shape of the rubber and sand that it uses. A-Turf rubber & sand systems feature the best rubber on the market. Clean. Right-sized. Ambiently ground. Round or non-angular sand is used, making it non-abrasive to both the athletes and fibers. Its shape also prevents compaction and hardening of the surfacing system. A-Turf features ambient and cryogenically processed rubber in its rubber-only systems.

FIELD MARKINGS
Some of the field markings are tufted into the rolls of synthetic grass during the manufacturing process, specifically straight lines that run with the length of the roll. Other field markings, including logos, numbers, hash marks and some game lines, are normally inlaid by the installation team. Painted markings are an option.

DRAINAGE
Water percolates through the infill material and exits the turf system through the perforations in the turf backing. From that point the water follows one of the views shown below.

How much will the new field cost?

The cost of the track and field complex will be approximately $1.9 million. The first phase was targeted at 1.6 Million for the demolition, new field, new track, new stands and landscaping. Phase 2 will be for the addition of Lights for $275,000

When will the new fields be available?

We are on track for October 2007

Who will pay for the new fields?

Your tax deductible donation would help provide a highly visible, tangible and useable asset that we can all be very proud of for many years.

FWCAC is a (501)(c)(3) non profit organization incorporated under MA General Laws; Chapter 18