SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Award a Contract to Astro Turf Corporation (AstroTurf), of Dalton, Georgia for $499,000, to provide and install a synthetic turf practice field at Jack Russell Stadium, pursuant to City Code Section 2.564(1)(b) Other Government Entity Bids and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Philadelphia Phillies installed a synthetic turf practice infield at Jack Russell Stadium over 25 years ago. The turf infield has never been replaced and is no longer safe as a playing or practice field.
When the Tampa Bay Rays replaced the turf infield at Tropicana Field prior to their 2018 baseball season, they offered to donate a portion of the used AstroTurf to the City. The City accepted the offer and transported a portion of the turf, including the infill material made up of sand and rubber, to the City Nursery facility located on Saturn Avenue.
The intent was to use the Tampa Bay Rays Turf in the replacement and refurbishment of the turf playing field at Jack Russell Stadium. However, after working with AstroTurf, who installed the original turf at Tropicana Field, we were informed that the turf was specifically designed for indoor use, and it would not be economically beneficial to install the used turf. We could expect approximately 2 years of life from the product while a new turf surface would be guaranteed for eight years and could last 12 to 15 years.
That being the case, staff is recommending the award of a Contract to AstroTurf for the replacement of the existing turf with an installation of a new AstroTurf Synthetic Turf System.
This Contract is a turn key project and will include all construction needed to remove the existing field and install a new field. This includes demolition, drainage, fencing, curbs, sod, lining of field, bases, and new turf. The only items not included in this contract are lighting and safety netting for the right outfield wall. These items will be replaced by others later and will not delay use of the completed practice field.
In reviewing possible options for how to replace and renovate the turf field, staff turned to NJPA/Sourcewell which offers nationwide cooperative purchasing contracts for goods and services for schools, municipalities, and other government agencies. The City of Clearwater is a member of NJPA/Sourcewell and AstroTurf is a contractor that has been awarded a bid for synthetic base and turf repairs and renovation projects.
This is a 60-day project and will be constructed beginning in January 2019 and completed by March 2019.
Once completed, the field will be available for programming by Recreation Staff for rentals, tournaments, St. Petersburg College, and Clearwater High School.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT
Sufficient funds are available in Capital Improvement Program project 315-93673, “Jack Russell Stadium Improvements” for this Contract.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A