FieldTurf at OCHS Football Field On Track For 2012 Season

If all goes according to plan, the football field will be an artificial playing surface by the start of the 2012 season.

The Oak Creek-Franklin School Board approved financing for the turf, commonly referred to by the brand name FieldTurf, in its meeting Monday on a 4-1 vote.

Board member Mark Verhalen cast the only vote against the proposal. He said he wanted to hold off on a vote so issues, specifically with stormwater retention, could be worked out. Superintendent Sara Burmeister said the vote Monday was for financing and that the district will have time to address those details.

No other board member spoke before the vote the turf, which looks like real grass but is actually a synthetic surface, would allow for many community events, marching band performances, soccer games, Oak Creek Youth Football games, WIAA playoffs and other events to take place.

The estimated cost is $1,042,370, according to minutes of a Feb. 20 school board committee meeting. School officials say it can be paid for through the district's existing budget and would not require raising taxes.

Also Monday, the school board with the city of Oak Creek.