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We need your support for a very important project: the campaign to
develop a state-of-the-art track and stadium field with a dedicated security
system for El Camino High School.
The problem is three-fold. 1) Our football field and track are in
constant need of costly maintenance, repair and renewal. And sadly, there
is limited use time for an intramural or community youth sports program.
It has also been subjected to acts of vandalism in past years. 2) The
current tract is difficult to repair creating serious safety issues. 3)
There are no security cameras to prevent the risk of vandalism.
The Wildcat Foundation is committed to securing $1.5 million in contributions
to install a state-of-the-art synthetic field that looks, feels, and plays like
natural grass, a synthetic urethane track that is designed to reduce injuries,
and four dedicated security cameras.
There is a great deal of collaborative support for these
improvements. The administration, faculty, coaches, parents, the Oceanside
Unified School District (the District) and Wildcat Foundation are working
together to accomplish this goal. The District's Board of Trustees
understands the demands on the use of facilities and has encouraged the District
staff to work closely with the Foundation in their efforts. All parties
agree that the health and safety of our students is a top priority.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Trace Deneke and
Track coach Sean Helgesen have conducted considerable preliminary product
research in the last six months. In addition, District Superintendent Ken
Noonan and Director of Facilities Tony Frazier have also conducted independent
research into the best products available.
The District is recommending the phasing of the project to
enable them to conduct further research regarding the synthetic turf and to
gather more information regarding the frequency and severity of injuries using
the new generation of artificial turf.
District procedures will be followed regarding the improvement of facilities.
- Competitive bids will be obtained through the District process.
- District Facilities Department will be involved in the installation of the
product.
The District recommends splitting the project into Phase I and Phase II.
- Phase I - installation of the synthetic urethane track
- Phase I - installation of the security cameras to prevent vandalism
- Phase II - installation of the synthetic turf.
The District will employ the services of a consultant to assist in developing
bid specifications and to advise on the risk factors involved in the various
artificial turf products.
The results of preliminary research have shown that the artificial turf has
become extremely popular on the west coast in the past five years. La
Jolla High School installed field turf three years ago and has been very
satisfied with this particular product.
There are many recognized benefits to these improvements.
- Increased safety for our student athletes is paramount.
- Synthetic grass is an excellent alternative to natural grass, and the
synthetic track greatly diminishes the risk of serious injuries.
- Every student will benefit - those participating in physical education as
well as those participating in football, track, cross country, soccer,
marching band, pageantry, ROTC.
- Community youth and adult sports programs such as youth and adult soccer,
Pop Warner football, and youth track and field.
- The creation of an intramural program will be made possible.
Participation in athletics encourages students to work together as a team and
fosters good sportsmanship, leadership and sense of accomplishment.
- Field space at El Camino High School is at a premium.
- Heightened security is essential to reduce the risk of vandalism.
- ECHS will be able to play in and host year-round tournaments.
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El
Camino Wildcat Foundation