City considering synthetic turf at Centennial Park

The question of whether to convert the upper adult softball fields at Centennial Park from grass to artificial, or synthetic, turf is scheduled to be taken up by the Carson City Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday.

The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the community center board room. The parks commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding any artificial turf conversion.

“This item is intended to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed project related to capital investment, maintenance, water use, playability, recreation use, tourism, player safety, and the environment,” according to the agenda.

“Centennial Park is located on the north end of Carson City and is host to more than 100,000 participants annually for sports tournaments, adult sports leagues and special events,” reads a staff report. “The park’s infrastructure is aging and requires capital reinvestment to maximize use, reduce potential safety concerns and ensure it remains competitive as a venue for tourism opportunities, local recreation leagues and serves as an economic benefit for the community.”

The artificial turf project was proposed to be part of park improvements funded by general-obligation bonds of up to $5 million, which the Board of Supervisors authorized earlier this year after required hearings. Per an agreement between the city and the Carson City Culture and Tourism Authority (CTA or Visit Carson City), the bonds were secured with a portion of room tax revenue.

“The CTA supported these improvements because they would increase the playability for year-round field use for sports tournaments and tourism opportunities in Carson City,” reads the staff report.

The upper fields total 8 acres, are mowed two to three times a week and use upward of 8 million gallons of water a season, according to Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space personnel.

As the project unfolded over the last year, members of the public were concerned about the potential health effects of certain materials like crumb rubber used in artificial turf. The parks commission is expected to discuss several material options Tuesday and whether the project should move forward to the design phase.

More information on the proposal is online: https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/carsoncity/87baa781bced95fba3a0f56c3800195b0.pdf.