Minneapolis Public School's turf plan hits snag

Minneapolis Public Schools launched a fund-raising campaign called Team Up for Turf last spring in hopes of installing synthetic turf fields at two high schools for the 2011-12 school year.

But unable to secure two key grants, administrators have moved the timeline. They now hope to complete the $1.25 million project by 2012-13. The first schools slated to receive turf are Washburn and Patrick Henry.

"The schools are still behind it," MPS athletics director John Washington said. "Everyone is still pushing forward."

The district was unable to secure two grants that would provide about $500,000: a Hennepin Youth Sports Program grant worth about $300,000 -- derived from the Hennepin County sales tax increase to build Target Field -- and the NFL Grassroots Program, which provides grants of up to $200,000 for capital improvement projects. Washington said MPS will reapply for both grants.

In addition, Washington said private donations are still coming in, albeit slowly.

"I think people are waiting to see what will happen," Washington said.

About 30 metro-area schools have turf fields, which typically last eight to 10 years. Annual maintenance costs an average of $15,000 to $25,000 less than keeping a grass field playable, though replacing turf is more expensive than replacing grass.

The key statistic is available usage, which skyrockets from a few hundred hours per year to more than 2,000. The turf installed at Washburn and Henry would primarily serve the football, soccer and club lacrosse teams. Physical education classes, middle school teams and community youth programs also would have access to the fields.