A proposal to install synthetic turf football fields at Terre Haute North, South and West Vigo high schools has been scrapped because a committee says it is unable to raise sufficient matching funds.

Synthetic turf idea for schools scrapped

By Sue Loughlin
TERRE HAUTE — A proposal to install synthetic turf football fields at Terre Haute North, South and West Vigo high schools has been scrapped because a committee says it is unable to raise sufficient matching funds.
The proposal to use school-district bond refinancing dollars “is off the table completely,” said Superintendent Dan Tanoos.
In May 2007, the School Board agreed to dedicate $980,000 in refinancing money to the project, but the remainder of the cost would have to be privately raised. At the time, the cost was estimated at $1.7 million to $2.1 million.
A school-district committee formed to raise funds privately “has met and decided they would not be able to secure donations matching the $980,000 allocated by the board of trustees for this project,” according to information in the board agenda.
“The committee had an awesome task to find that money,” Tanoos said Friday.
On Monday, the School Board and superintendent will discuss possible uses of the $980,000 in refinancing money, which must be spent by May 31, 2009.
While the school district will not set aside funds for synthetic turf fields, Tanoos said he would be willing to consider a proposal if a private donor wanted to fund the entire project.

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