Maintaining outdoor learning spaces for our students, athletes, and community

Field and stadium conditions impact students' ability to compete and learn and are an asset to all our community sports leagues who utilize our spaces. We are committed to maintaining our outdoor spaces for Puyallup student-athletes. Here are a few of the facts regarding our fields and stadiums.

✅ Rubber Addition at Sparks Stadium: Sparks Stadium turf was replaced in July 2018 with a re-coat of the all-weather track. To ensure compliance with the field warranty and maintain a high-quality playing surface, we recently added rubber to Sparks Stadium. We understand the significance of providing a safe environment for all athletes who use the stadium. Sparks Stadium is a regional sports hub hosting all three PSD (Puyallup School District) comprehensive high schools use for varsity football games, PHS field sports and physical education, and community use, which means it experiences more wear and tear.

✅ Turf Condition and Maintenance: We are aware of the concerns about the turf condition at all three high schools. Our maintenance team is working diligently to address any issues related to seams and the overall safety of the playing surfaces. Our turf manufacturers estimate the turf field's lifespan at 10-12 years, depending on the amount of use. Rest assured; we are committed to maintaining all fields to the best of our ability, supporting safe learning for all field sports activities.

✅ Turf Installations: In 2012, we installed turf, an all-weather track, and lighting at Jag Field, and in 2014, we added turf along with a new all-weather track and field lighting and bleachers to Ram Field as part of our ongoing efforts to improve facilities for our student-athletes. Mark your calendars because Jag Field is getting a turf replacement in the summer of 2024, and Ram Field will receive a turf upgrade in the summer of 2025.

✅ Safety Measures for Student Athletes: Safety is a top priority for PSD and essential to all student-athletes. We have taken note of the soccer ball safety concerns. We are actively exploring options for adding netting and facility upgrades to our next levy to protect our students from potential injuries. Security cameras are also being considered to be added to Sparks Stadium in a future capital levy package to increase site safety and security.

✅ Lighting Upgrades: Exciting news! Our Capital Projects team is working with McKinstry to upgrade the system to an LED lighting system at Jag Field. These upgrades will make it more energy efficient, cost-effective, and brighter than ever. The improvements at Jag Field are part of a larger initiative to improve energy management across the district. In addition to the field lighting upgrades, we are upgrading our lighting from Halogen to LED fixtures over the next few years. New lighting will help us maximize energy savings, capture rebates, and increase classroom comfort. We are committed to creating a more sustainable and comfortable learning environment for our students and staff.  

✅ Public Access to Facilities: We want to strike the right balance between student access and public use. PSD outdoor learning and sporting events have priority use of all district fields and outdoor facilities. When reviewing public access to school district outdoor spaces, we assess several factors, including safety and security concerns, compliance with our insurance policies, and available staff to manage the facility's access. As always, fields and outdoor learning spaces will remain locked during school hours to provide safe learning spaces for our students. The district-proposed levy funding includes recommendations to add handrails at Sparks Stadium to both the home and visitor stands to increase access for our students, families, and community.

✅ Budget: With a dwindling capital budget, the Puyallup School District must carefully make tough decisions while responsibly managing taxpayer funds. Maintaining aging buildings, outdoor spaces, and equipment is a significant part of the budget, especially with growing student enrollment causing increased wear and tear on district assets. Balancing building maintenance and prudent fiscal management is crucial, and we are dedicated to prioritizing these values in our decision-making process. 🏗️🏫 

We thank you for your dedication and advocacy for the well-being of our students. Athletics and outdoor learning are pivotal to children's well-being and skill-building, which will have lifelong benefits.