Letter: Resident responds to letter regarding turf fields
Dr. Andrew Berlin points out in his letter to The Haddonfield Sun May 15 discussing turfing stadium and Anniversary fields that “in the world of school sports, across the nation, schools are transitioning to turf fields.”
I would point out that in the world of professional sports, across the nation, professional sports teams are transitioning from turf fields to natural grass. In both professional football as well as baseball, professional sports teams are trying to prevent injury to the brains of their athletes resulting in concussion, brain contusion, posttraumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia, as well as injuries to the musculoskeletal system, primarily knees. I am glad that the owners of professional sports teams have become more sensitive to the risk of injuries to their players. Lawsuits from former injured players have accelerated their sensitivity.
It is sad that those like Dr. Berlin responsible for the safety of our children are not as concerned for their long term health and well being.
Furthermore, the “gift” of $600,000 that he lauds comes with considerable strings attached. For the foreseeable future, at least $59,000 per year will have to be put in a “sinking” fund to pay for maintenance and replacement of these two fields. That money could instead pay for other-educational-purposes, for example an additional kindergarten teacher. And if the lifespan of the fields proves shorter than the estimate of 10 years, additional monies will need to be taken from the educational budget of the Board of Education or raised from increased taxation.
The $600,000 gift is the gift that keeps on taking.
Jerrold Schwaber
