After several months of consideration and discussion, the School Board has overwhelmingly approved a resolution regarding the playing field surface to be installed at Radnor Middle School. Inspired by a community-driven compromise advanced by several of the school’s neighbors, the Board has resolved that it will proceed with the installation of two natural grass fields at RMS while at the same time forming a subcommittee that will explore other Township locations for the possible installation of an artificial turf field.
This coincides with a recent suggestion from Doug Blazey to the Township and School Board for a comprehensive joint evaluation of Radnor's total school, recreational league, and public access needs for recreational field space including type and location.
The subcommittee is to consist of Board members, administrators and representative constituencies, such as RMS neighbors, environmentalists, and private Youth Sports leaders. It is anticipated that the subcommittee will evaluate what type of grass fields will be installed at RMS, how best to maintain them, and will assess the durability of the fields over a several year period. It will also explore locations which might be suitable for a regulation-sized fully lit field to address the increasing demand for more durable athletic fields in the Township. It will also discuss funding sources, including private non-tax sources.
Residents will be invited to apply to become members of the subcommittee. The Facilities Committee hopes to submit a recommendation to the full Board by year’s end for approval of the subcommittee’s membership.
While there are many details to be worked out, the compromise was reached in an effort to seek a collaborative approach to the various concerns raised and needs identified throughout this discussion.
The motion was made by Mary Young and seconded by John McMeekin, two Board Directors who only two weeks earlier were leaning toward installation of artificial turf. Both were praised and thanked for their willingness to keep an open mind and, in the words of one speaker, “think outside the box.”
The motion passed 8-1.
Stay tuned for details how to apply to the subcommittee.
Meantime, thank you for paying attention to local government!