To Turf … or not to Turf …

By Gloria Way

  Chambers County Commissioners Court held a regular meeting last Tuesday, June 24^th, in the county courtroom in Anahuac. A controversial issue was item #6.3 – Discuss and consider Tarkett Sports for the construction of turfing the infields at both Jim Silva Sports Complex and Don McCleod Sports Complex in the amount of $2,297,537.00.

  In 2021, the Court approved a $49 million Certificate of Obligation (CO) (this is new debt taken on by the Court for new projects without a public vote). Over half of that money was earmarked for new baseball fields on both the east and west sides of the county. The rest was for road and bridge and other projects.

  At the time, the county budget showed that each ball field would cost about $1 million each. And each ballfield would have turf infields. While appreciative that the County was investing in upgrading and putting in new ballfields, hundreds of residents were outraged over the cost of the ballfields. As a result, the Court decided to have grass infields to offset the cost of turf infields. The difference in the money saved from going to grass infields instead of turf, went back to the original 2021 COs to be used for other projects.

  On July 23^rd, 2024, Chambers County Commissioners Court approved another CO in the amount of $56 million in improvements and projects. Included was $1 million for turf infields in McCleod Park and $1 million for turf infields in Jim Silva Sports Complex, a total of $2 million.

  So, the current cost vs the 2024 cost for turfing the infields is now $2.2+ million. The Court was being asked to approve the money. The question arises as to why the turfing of the infields of the McLeod and Silva baseball fields is back in the budget for over $2 million dollars. The reason presented to the commissioners was that having turf infields prevented fewer baseball games being cancelled due to wet conditions of the field which helps the baseball complexes bring in more revenue.

  When the item on the agenda came up to be discussed, Anahuac resident A.C. Lowe asked to address the Court.  Lowe stated that the $2.2+ million for turf infields was a huge waste of money. County Clerk Heather Hawthorne then asked for permission to address the court on the item. She said, “In agreement with Mr. Lowe, I will tell you that in my 20 years of working in this Courthouse, this is the biggest waste of money I have ever seen on an agenda.” She continued, “This is a “luxury” item not a “need” item. Until all basic public services are fulfilled, plastic grass is a luxury.” Commissioner Pct. 2 Mark Tice concurred. “I have not received one phone call, not one, asking for the infields be turfed. My main concern is drainage. Until my precinct’s drainage projects are funded and finished, turf infields isn’t on my radar.”

  After more discussion about the need to fund major infrastructure projects and the fact that there has not been an outcry among the public for turf infields, County Judge Sylvia asked for a motion on the item, and none came. Item #6.3 asking for $2.2+ million for turf infields was killed due to lack of a motion.

   With that money being denied to fund turfing the infields, it is not earmarked for a specific project yet. The Commissioners can use it for a splashpad in Gregory Park in Stowell.