No rubber: School board votes to use cork in Casa Grande turf field

There will be no crumb rubber used in the synthetic turf being installed on the Casa Grande High School athletic field and track.

The Petaluma City Schools Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to amend the original plans for the $2.5 million project to include a cork and sand infill under the turf. The plan originally called for rubber infill made from pulverized tires.

The decision came after the board heard several sometimes emotional parents and advocates, who challenged the safety of the rubber infill, maintaining it contains carcinogens and could cause cancer and other health problems.

The speakers pointed out there are other alternatives, and the school members ultimately agreed with them.

The cork and sand alternative will cost the district about $132,000 more than the crumb rubber infill and add several weeks to the project.

The original plan called for a rock base for drainage, which has already been installed, followed by a 2.5-inch sand and crumb rubber infield, topped with the turf. The new plan will cover the rock base with a 2-inch cork and sand infill, covered with a half-inch plastic mat to help drainage and cushion the turf.

Curtis Nichols from the design firm of Carlile Macy said the cost of both the crumb rubber and cork infills is approximately the same. The cost difference is for the mat. He said there would be no problem in changing to the cork infill.

“Everything is lined up,” he told the board. “Everything should be ready for delivery in about three weeks.”

The issue was first brought to the board’s attention at a special meeting held last week. Board members told the appreciative audience they had listened and learned.

“There is a mounting concern for the health and safety (of the crumb rubber),” said board member Troy Sanderson. “I don’t necessarily agree, but I hear what you’re saying and it is plausible. At the end of the day it is not all that much more money.”

Board member Mary Schafer agreed. “I don’t believe the evidence (about the health hazards of crumb rubber) is compelling,” she said. “But it could be very soon. I believe there is a reasonable chance we will have to deal with this sooner than later.”

Board president Mike Baddeley pointed out that there is almost no way to dispose of used tires.

“You can’t throw them in a landfill, you can’t throw them in a creek, you can’t throw them in the ocean, so they decided to pulverize them and sell them to make fields,” he said. “I think this is a safer route and a more viable alternative.”

Brian Misfud, the father of a sophomore football player at Casa Grande led the effort to eliminate the crumb rubber infield. He said the board’s decision was “absolutely fantastic,” and joked that the cork infill was perfect for the area.

“What could be a more appropriate material for Sonoma County, than cork?” he asked.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better than this decision,” said Jack Withington, who helped organize the opposition to the rubber infill. “This was a real team effort. A lot of people were involved.”

Petaluma joins the West County School District, which is installing new synthetic turf fields at both Analy and El Molino high schools, in rejecting the use of crumb rubber infill.

The board’s decision will also impact the design of the synthetic turf planned to be installed at Petaluma High School next year.

(Contact John Jackson at johnie.jackson@arguscourier.com)