Grayslake N. may get artificial turf

Grayslake North's Drew Doering (3) runs through a hole against Grayslake Central this season. North may be getting artificial turf because of problems with its grass football field.

(Joe Shuman/For the Pioneer Press)

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GRAYSLAKE -- Installing artificial turf on the football field at Grayslake North is a strong possibility.

The board of trustees for the two Grayslake high schools has agreed to begin preparations for the possibility by having preliminary engineering studies done, followed by issuing specific bids to accomplish the project.

Drainage of the clay-based grass field has been a problem after heavy rains for the new school since it began playing football three seasons ago, according to school officials.

Several Fox Valley Conference underclass football and soccer games were canceled this fall because of poor field drainage and muddy field conditions.

Mike Zelek, the district’s business services officer, said there is no way to fix the problem other than convert it from its clay base to artificial turf and provide proper drainage.

The school board hopes to have engineering studies completed by December so bids could go out following approval of capital projects planned for January. Costs for the artificial-turf field are estimated to be around $1.1 million.

Grayslake Central converted a deteriorating dirt field into an artificial-turf facility before the start of the 2007-2008 school year at a cost of $800,000, and administrators and student athletes have been delighted with the quality and safety of the new field.

Mike Hutchins, board president, said if the board approves the expenditure in January, it might be possible to have the new turf in place by the start of the 2009-10 school year.

Besides Grayslake Central, five other schools in Lake County currently have an artificial surface on their football fields.