Architect outlines $1.2M turf field for Riverhead High School
The architect who designed the Riverhead School District’s capital improvement bond project gave a presentation Tuesday outlining a new proposal to install a turf field at the high school.
Roger Smith of BBS Architects in Patchogue proposed turning the soccer field located next to McKillop Field into a new synthetic field and estimated the project would cost $1.2 million.
The turf field could accommodate various sports, including soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, he said, adding the proposal doesn’t include installing lights.
PAL lacrosse coach Chris Nentwich told the school board that the town has also been looking into building a turf field and asked them to consider planning the project jointly.
After Mr. Nentwich described such a partnership as a “win win,” since it would reduce costs, school board president Greg Meyer said he welcomed meeting with town officials to discuss building a turf field.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, parent Andrew Fitzpatrick of Aquebogue pleaded with the school board to seriously consider getting a turf field because lacrosse players have been practicing in the gym since the school’s fields are currently “under water.”
“Our fields don’t drain properly — they are the worst fields in Suffolk County, in my opinion,” he said. “We’ve been told we may not get out there until mid-April because of the field conditions. I don’t know what can be done, but personally I think snow should be moved off them.”
Mr. Meyer said athletic director Bill Groth is in the process of coming up with a solution.
