Current Status
The SPHS Athletic Complex project is in the design phase. It is reportedly on schedule and on budget for a groundbreaking planned for May 2027.
Overview
- On September 14, 2026, the Buildings & Grounds Committee reported that the SPHS Athletic Complex project was in its design phase.
- The Athletic Director confirmed on August 17, 2026, that the project was on schedule and on budget for a groundbreaking in May 2027.
- On April 14, 2025, the board voted to rescind a prior action and instead send two conflicting referendum questions to the City Council, allowing voters to choose between natural grass and synthetic turf options with newly revised, higher cost estimates.
- The board's April 2025 decision reversed a February 24, 2025 vote that had approved a similar two-choice referendum but with lower costs for a more limited project scope.
- Throughout early 2025, the board held multiple workshops to debate the financial, environmental, and usability differences between natural grass and synthetic turf, hearing from experts, staff, and the public.
- The board began its review in late 2024 after a citizen group spoke against artificial turf at a December 9, 2024 meeting.
Perspectives
Board
- Members expressed a strong preference for a two-question referendum to ensure a fair and democratic process, given the split of opinion on the board and in the community (April 2025).
- A key motion to advance a two-option referendum passed on a narrow 4-3 vote, indicating a divided board (February 2025).
- During workshops, members raised concerns about the long-term financial commitment and environmental impacts of synthetic turf, including PFAS and microplastics (January 2025).
Administration
- The Superintendent presented revised, higher costs in April 2025 after discovering previously missed line items in project estimates.
- In January 2025, the Superintendent presented a compromise plan involving synthetic turf and grass fields, arguing it balanced usage, cost, and safety.
- Athletics Director Todd Livingston consistently argued for synthetic turf to increase playability, reduce weather-related cancellations, and accommodate more teams (January 2025).
Staff
- Some staff argued against any spending on athletics in April 2025, citing the district's budget shortfall and the need for academic and support positions.
- The city's athletic facilities manager, Rick Peruzzi, explained in January 2025 that the field's poor condition was due to 60 years of overuse and maintenance limitations.
Citizens
- Public opinion was sharply divided between proponents who cited the need for safe, reliable, high-usage fields for student-athletes and opponents who raised concerns about environmental justice, health risks from chemicals like PFAS, and plastic waste.
- Opponents of artificial turf repeatedly voiced concerns over environmental impacts, long-term costs, and the tax burden on residents, especially seniors.
- Supporters of artificial turf emphasized the need for equitable facilities compared to neighboring towns and expanded opportunities for student-athletes.
- Some citizens argued against any athletic spending given the district's budget shortfalls, while others urged the board to let voters decide on the long-delayed upgrades.
Key Resolutions & Votes
| Date | Motion | Result |
|---|---|---|
| April 14, 2025 | To amend the main action item to change the wording from "the subject of the first question" and "the subject of the second question" to "the subject of one question" and "the subject of another question". | Passed |
| April 14, 2025 | To rescind the school board action taken on February 24th, 2025, and recommend the city council submit two conflicting questions to a November 2025 referendum for the South Portland High School athletic complex: one for a natural grass field at a cost not to exceed $4,660,000, and another for a synthetic turf field at a cost not to exceed $5,490,000. | Passed |
| April 14, 2025 | To recommend to the City Council that the natural grass option be listed as the first question on the ballot. | Passed |
| February 24, 2025 | Substitute motion to recommend to the City Council a November 2025 referendum with two choices: 1) Bonding not to exceed $5.10 million for a new track, a synthetic turf stadium field, new lighting, and permanent restrooms, OR 2) Bonding not to exceed $4.29 million for a new track, a natural grass stadium field, new lighting, and permanent restrooms. | Passed |
Meeting History
September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Committee Reports
The Buildings & Grounds Committee reported on progress with the middle school solar array, contingency planning for the aging Skillin Elementary boiler, and the design phase for the South Portland High School Athletic Complex. The Policy Committee advanced the cell phone and public participation policies.
August 17, 2026
August 17, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Athletic Facilities and Field Updates
Athletic Director Todd Livingston presented a progress report on the South Portland High School Athletic Complex, noting the project is on time and on budget for a May 2027 groundbreaking. Additionally, Director of Operations and Safety Mike Nalli confirmed that the South Portland Middle School Field is safe and ready for fall soccer and field hockey after successful aeration, overseeding, and fertilization.
April 14, 2025
April 14, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Athletic Complex Referendum Update
The Superintendent presented revised, higher costs for the two athletic complex options (natural grass and synthetic turf) due to previously missed line items like general conditions and contractor overhead. The new plans also show the project encroaching on existing practice field space, which was noted as a change from previous designs.
Legal Consultation on Referendum Structure
The board consulted with bond counsel, Jim Safian, to understand the legal pathways for the referendum. The discussion centered on whether to present two conflicting questions, where the one with more 'yes' votes wins per the city charter, or a primary/secondary question structure, where the second option only passes if the first one fails.
Board Discussion on Fairness
Board members expressed a strong preference for two conflicting questions to ensure a fair and democratic process, given the split of opinion on the board and in the community. They wanted to avoid any appearance of favoring one option over the other and decided to randomly determine the order of the questions on the ballot.
Public Comment on Athletic Complex and Budget
Citizens, students, and staff offered varied perspectives. Some argued against any spending on athletics given the district's budget shortfall and the need to fund academic and support positions. Others emphasized the importance of athletics for a well-rounded education and urged the board to let voters decide on the long-delayed facility upgrades, stressing the need for clarity in the ballot language.
Final Vote on Referendum
The board voted to rescind its February 24th action and approve a new recommendation to the City Council. The new action calls for two conflicting referendum questions with the updated cost estimates, allowing voters to choose between natural grass and synthetic turf, or reject both.
Ballot Order Determined
Following the vote to proceed with two conflicting questions, the board conducted a random drawing from a basket to determine the ballot order. The natural grass option was selected to be listed as the first question presented to voters.
February 24, 2025
February 24, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
SPHS Athletic Complex Referendum
The board held a workshop and extensive discussion on the SPHS Athletic Complex improvement project. The administration presented revised costs for a November 2025 referendum, which were lower than the previously defeated proposal, with options for either all-natural grass fields or a mix of synthetic turf and natural grass.
Public Comment on Athletic Complex
Citizens voiced strong opinions on the athletic complex, with many opposing artificial turf due to environmental impacts, long-term costs, and the tax burden on residents, especially seniors. Speakers repeatedly called for a formal presentation from a natural grass field expert to provide a more balanced view.
Board Vote on Athletic Complex
Following a tense debate, the board passed a substitute motion 4-3 to send a two-choice referendum to the city council for the November 2025 ballot. The motion strips the project down to the stadium field, track, lighting, and restrooms, offering voters a choice between a synthetic turf option (~$5.1M) and a natural grass option (~$4.29M).
January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
SPHS Athletic Complex Workshop
The board held its third workshop on the SPHS Athletic Complex. The administration presented follow-up information on the costs of a proposed storage building, the feasibility of an eight-lane track, coach training for heat on synthetic turf, and potential solutions for microplastic filtration and PFAS testing, with cost estimates of $7.29M for natural grass and $8.62M for synthetic turf.
Board Discussion on Athletic Complex
Board members debated the two proposals, raising concerns about the long-term financial commitment and environmental impact of synthetic turf, including PFAS, microplastics, and recycling costs. Members also questioned the process, the historical neglect of the fields, and whether all alternatives, such as improving other city fields, had been fully explored. Perspectives varied, with some favoring turf for its increased usability and others advocating for an improved natural grass solution.
Public Comment on Athletic Complex
Citizens offered diverse perspectives. Opponents of synthetic turf cited environmental risks, financial unsustainability, and a perceived lack of objective information on organic grass alternatives. Proponents of turf emphasized the expanded athletic opportunities for students, the limitations of the current grass field, and the advancements in modern turf technology that mitigate environmental concerns.
January 13, 2025
January 13, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Athletic Complex Workshop and Public Debate
The board held an extensive workshop on the SPHS Athletic Complex, the primary focus of public comment. Supporters of artificial turf cited increased playability, safety from poor field conditions, and the need for a durable surface, while opponents raised concerns about plastic waste, unproven recycling solutions, potential health risks, and urged the board to fully explore advanced natural grass options.
Superintendent's Recommendation for Athletic Complex
The Superintendent presented his recommendation for a compromise plan involving two synthetic turf fields and one grass field, arguing it provides the best balance of increased usage, long-term cost-effectiveness, and safety. He provided data comparing the 10-year costs and playability of turf versus various grass options under the city's pesticide ordinance.
January 8, 2025
January 8, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
SPHS Athletic Complex Workshop Introduction
The board began a multi-part workshop on the future of the SPHS Athletic Complex, with this session focused on the debate between natural grass and synthetic turf, hearing from district staff, industry experts, and citizen groups.
Revised Facility Proposal
Superintendent Metheny presented a preliminary revised proposal for the athletic complex that would reduce the amount of synthetic turf by 40% and the total project cost by 28% compared to the 2024 plan, featuring one synthetic turf practice field instead of three.
Staff Presentations on Field Conditions and Usage
Rick Peruzzi, the city's athletic facilities manager, detailed the history of the 60-year-old field, explaining that overuse, compressed seasons, and maintenance limitations have led to its current poor condition. Athletics Director Todd Livingston argued for synthetic turf to increase playability, reduce weather-related cancellations, and accommodate more teams and sports like field hockey on campus.
Citizen Group Presentations
Two citizen groups presented opposing views. Sarah Woodbury of Defend Our Health argued against artificial turf, citing health risks from toxic chemicals like PFAS, environmental pollution from microplastics, and concerns about recyclability. Jana Grant, representing parents and coaches, advocated for artificial turf to provide safe, reliable, and increased access for student-athletes and the broader community.
Industry Expert Q&A
Representatives from design firm Activitas and turf company Geo Surfaces answered board questions on the technical aspects of modern turf systems. They addressed maintenance costs, usage hours, recyclability programs, stormwater management, and the testing protocols for PFAS and other chemicals to ensure safety.
Public Comment
Numerous citizens spoke during public comment, with passionate arguments on both sides. Opponents of turf reiterated concerns about environmental justice, plastic waste, and unknown long-term health effects on children. Proponents emphasized the immediate need for durable, high-usage fields to support student athletics, ensure safety from poor grass conditions, and provide equitable facilities compared to neighboring towns.
December 9, 2024
December 9, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Public Comment on Athletic Fields
A citizen representing a local advocacy group spoke against the use of artificial turf for the high school athletic fields, citing health and environmental research. The group requested to be included in the board's upcoming study of the issue.