Now that the field lighting is on the way to Cape Elizabeth, a group of citizens is hoping to have those lights shine on artificial turf.

The School Board on April 11 gave a citizen group, "KidsTurf", the go-ahead to begin raising funds for a 90,000 square-foot playing surface to be installed at the lower High School field. KidsTurf is an outgrowth of the citizen group that organized funding and installation of the field lights slated to be installed at the field in May.

Cost of the artificial surface, including preliminary evaluations, substructure, drainage pipes and turf, are not expected to exceed $6,000 and will be funded by private fund-raising, said Michael Ott, spokesman for the citizen group.

"We are going to try our best, and we will succeed at privately funding this effort," Ott said.

KidsTurf believes that artificial turf of the 21st century is an idea whose time has come for Cape Elizabeth.

Not only has the new generation of artificial turf been found to be generally safer and more exciting for play, Ott said, but the maintenance cost and durability of the surface make it ideal for a community with limited budgets and limited space for a student athlete population that is growing every year.

"We are the only school we could find that does not have lights and or bleachers on a field," Ott told members of the School Board during his April 11 presentation. Ott said he first thought artificial turf could be a nice addition to Cape sports programs, but after researching the benefits, "it's really a necessity, not a luxury," he told the board.

Unlike natural grass, artificial turf does not need to be rested. Rain or snow can be quickly drained away. And, addition of field lights this coming May will extend games and practices into the evening hours. All this adds up to a field that can be used longer, more frequently, and for more sporting events throughout the year.

"We will find uses for this field that we haven't even thought of," Ott said, adding that potential use by phys. ed. classes will not only save wear on the new High School gym, but make the new playing field an "outdoor classroom."

The group has proposed the artificial turf project, including supporting amenities, in two phases. The first phase includes the lighting, already planned for installation next month; the artificial turf surface; relocation of current 4-foot high fencing to allow for snow removal; and, 8- to 12-foot stands of side netting to prevent soccer, lacrosse or footballs from going into the nearby marsh.

The second phase of the project will include bleachers on one side of the field to accommodate 1,000 spectators; a scoreboard for field hockey, football, lacrosse and soccer; coaches' tower with sound system speakers; snack shack; and, an endowment for replacement of the artificial turf in 10-14 years. Ott estimated the replacement cost at $300,000.

The amenities of the second phase will ensure the safety and interest of players and spectators and are considered requirements for a successful program, according to the group's program statement for an artificial turf field.

Ott compared the cost of artificial turf to natural surface. While a $550,000 installation cost is higher than the $350,000 cost of installing natural grass, savings on maintenance will allow the project to break even in 10 years. With 1,400 hours of playing time possible on an artificial surface, compared to 600 hours on natural grass per year, Ott estimated the cost of artificial turf per hour at $43, about half the $84 per hour cost of a grass field.

There's also potential for rental income, Ott said. As an example, Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland charges as much as $100-$150 per hour for use of its artificial-surface field.

"This could be a work horse for the entire community," Ott said.

The next step for the citizen group is to present the project to the Town Council next month; and then to the Planning Board.

Previous story:

• Citizen group seeks to shed more light on High School playing field (7/14/05)