For Deadline, Greeley Turf Group Starts New Fundraising Push

The group that is raising money to pay for a turf field at will begin a new fundraising push this summer to meet a Sept. 1 goal.

The news, announced at Monday's meeting of The Chappaqua Turf Committee (TCTC), involves raising $400,000 by the date, for a total of $1.2 million dedicated to the project. So far, more than $850,000 has been raised, according to Jim Nottingham, who is chair of TCTC. The fundraising effort has been ongoing since last fall.

“We can see the end of the tunnel," he said. The meeting became a question and answer session for both local press and attendees with suggestions.

Aside from giving the total amount of progress, Nottingham explained that $160,000 already been given to the school district, which will eventually get the full funds to pay for the turf.

“And I can’t tell you how successful that is in terms of fundraising," he said.

The $1.2 million would pay for the field and related lighting infrastructure, Nottingham explained. The turf field is part of a larger bundle of replacements for Greeley's stadium area over time. Other changes proposed include updating the track, bathrooms and lighting fixture at the nearby tennis courts, and an overhaul of the entrance area to the field. The proposals, which will rely on private donationss, are coupled with a taxpayer-funded Greeley gym roof repair for a single application that is being reviewed by the New York State's education department for approval.

The goal for the field's completion was originally for this fall. Nottingham explained that it has been moved to next spring because the state's processing of the application will not be finished in time, along with a lack of group funds for meeting the deadline.

Since starting fundraising efforts, the group has learned from it.

“I think we’ve learned a lot over the last six-plus months, meeting with hundreds of families in this town," said Jeff Scheine, a TCTC co-chair and secretary. He said that there is a need to explain that the field is not just for the football team, which will be one of the main users of it, but for the entire town.

Chappaqua school board Vice President Jeffrey Mester, the only board member present, said that having the turf frees up playing time and usage for local organizations, who could use it when school teams are not. Currently, the grass competition field at Greeley is not in rotation for others.

The  turf field is intended to address what is viewed as a broader recreation problem in New Castle: A shortage of fields compared to the number of folks who want to play sports.

Jonathan David, a TCTC member, noted the problem and described a turf field as being a "work horse."

David, discussing an article he read in a Greeley student publication, noted that one argument in favor of turf is that not having one, while neighboring schools do, brings a competitive disadvatange due to weather limiting practice outside.

One of the challenges TCTC is facing is in how to generate more donations. Already, about 175 families have contributed, Scheine said, with the group having reached out to more than 300. Scheine believes that the majority of the folks who have already been contacted with end up donating if the the group stays on top of them.

One of the key strategies the group is practicing is to have supporters meet with likeminded people directly to encourage donations, rather than emphasizing mass calls to action directly from the group. At least 30 people have helped TCTC so far in this effort, according to Scheine.

Additionally, TCTC intended to hire a professional fundraiser to help get the group organized and keep them on task, Scheine explained. The announcement of who will fill the role is expected to be given next week, he said. By then, Scheine added, the group could have “more color” on pushing fundraising.

Attendees offered several suggestions on how to reach out.

David suggested that, as a way to fund the turf, perhaps user fees from local sports clubs could be allocated. He noted that the field would benefit youth teams in sports such as soccer and lacrosse, not just the school.

David Harris, whose daughter Olivia will be a Greeley sophomore in the fall, and plays field hockey, suggested that promotional pamphets could be given out at preseason practice in August, which was met with interest. Mester suggested that they could be sent out along with a general information packet given at the beginning of each school year.

Larry Clark, who is involved with the football team community, suggested having bricks with people's names on them.

When asked about the possible expectancy for the turf field, Nottingham believes that it could be 12-15 years if it is properly maintained.

When it comes time to replacing the turf, it was explained that the cost of doing so will be lower because underground infrastructure that is part of the upfront cost will not be a factor again. Additionally, the district could get state funding that is about roughly 30 percent its project cost connected to the education department application, which could be used to pay for replacement.

Turf replacement is at , with Bedford Central School District officials are discussing it as part of a larger, and likely expensive, . It would include a bond referendum as a large funding source. The Fox Lane field, installed in the early 2000s, has a 10-year life cycle and it is approaching its end, according to explanations given at Bedford school board meetings.

When asked if bonding would be considered for future replacement, Mester noted that the matter is far down the line, but explained that including turf in a bond vote that is coupled with other work, such as a science lab fix, may get more support than having the referendum just for the turf.

Regardless, the turf is expected to offered significant savings due to lower maintenance costs. Nottingham explained, in response to a question, that the numbers he last saw give a 10-year savings of about $400,000.

With regards to the non-turf overhauls that TCTC supports, Scheine said that the total project cost could go as high as $2 million. There was also some sentiment that having the turf in the ground could bolster donations for the other upgrades.

The group will hold its next meeting on July 2 at 7:30 p.m., at Greeley's academic commons.