The Town Council on June 12 gave a Cape citizen group the signal to begin raising funds for an artificial-turf surface for the lower High School field.

The council's action, approved unanimously, authorizes the citizen group "KidsTurf" (http://www.kidsturf.org) to begin a fund-raising campaign to install a 90,000 square-foot artificial surface on the lower field. Cost of the field , installation and sitework is estimated at $600,000.

The surface would extend the use of the lower field, where lights have already been planned as part of the High School renovation project. KidsTurf is proposing the artificial surface and associated site work, as well as a second phase of amenities including bleachers, snack shack, coaches tower with sound system and scoreboard, be funded entirely by private donations.

The council's action June 12 also authorized a temporary fund-raising sign to be placed in town, at a location to be determined by town staff in line with local ordinance, and in cooperation with KidsTurf.

Lastly, the council's vote established an ad hoc committee of School Board members, town councilors, and Cape citizens to work with KidsTurf on several aspects of the project. These responsibilities include:

• Work with the Kids’ Turf citizen group to develop a construction and permit plan acceptable to the Cape Elizabeth School Board and the Cape Elizabeth Town Council.
• Develop a plan for determining the amount of funds needed to construct the turf field, how the funds for the turf field are to be held and how expenses will be paid and present that plan to the School Board and Town Council for approval.
• Develop a plan addressing the issues of possible naming of the field or portions thereof and present that plan to the Town Council for approval.
• Recommend to the superintendent of schools an appropriate company or companies to provide and construct the turf field.
• Develop a plan for raising and securing sufficient funds for replacement of the turf field at the end of its anticipated useful life and to determine how these funds are to be managed and disbursed, and present that plan to the School Board and Town Council for approval.
• Develop a plan for operation, maintenance and use of the turf field through the school department and Community Services and present that plan to the School Board and Town Council for approval.

The ad hoc "Turf Field Committee" will include two members of the School Board, two members of the Town Council, and five citizens appointed by the committee chairman.

No work on the new field will begin until all funds needed for the installation and construction have been raised by KidsTurf, and the School Board and Town Council have approved the recommendations and plans submitted by the Turf Field Committee, according to the motion passed by the Town Council.

Neighbors of the field were notified of the council's consideration June 12 and were invited to speak on the matter at the council meeting. Councilors said they have received some emails, but no one from the public spoke at the June 12 meeting.

Previous stories:

• Council to consider, take public comment on artificial-turf field proposal (06/09/06)
• Workshop to eye separate proposals for Nordic ski trails, artificial turf field 05/16/06
• Group working to bring artificial turf to lighted High School field (04/20/06)