April 25, 2019: The ORR School Committee hosted an information night to give the public a full briefing on the project and answer questions. Luke McCoy, a senior executive at design firm Kaestle-Boos was on hand, as well. TURF contracted K-B to develop the master plan for the entire outdoor athletic complex.
March, 2019: Before a packed audience, the ORR School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY for this renovation project.
January 16, 2019: The ORR Facilities Subcommittee presented its revised plan that focuses on the most pressing needs, including renovation of the main stadium field to artificial turf, new LED lighting for the main field, a new track, a renovated grass infield inside the track, as well as auditorium needs that include new LED lighting and a completion of the project to update the sound system, eliminating the need to rent as much equipment. This revised plan is the result of collaboration with the town officials, the School Committee and the engineering firm, Kaestle-Boos.
The School Committee is expected to take action on this proposal in its next meeting. The SC elected not to take action today at the request of the towns, so that this has the option of being discussed at each town’s regular Town Meeting rather than an additional, Special Town Meeting for this single topic.
Spring 2018: The ORR Facilities Committee (comprised of some reps from ORR Turf) had good meetings with ORR administrators and own administrators. As a result of those meetings, there will be some refinements to the plan. We're excited to share them soon. We are gearing up so all three towns will have this project on the ballots in Spring 2019 with the objective of breaking ground in Summer 2019!
November 18, 2017: Our next fundraising event to honor and add to our Founder's Circle. Please join us at Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett from 6-8pm. If you are a Founder or are simply interested in learning more about this initiative, join us for cocktails and snacks.
September 30, 2017: Many thanks to the anonymous donor of $5,000 at our Benefactor level. This demonstrates the support behind this initiative. Join our Founder's Circle and help us lead the way forward. You can make a one-time donation or monthly recurring contribution via a credit/debit card.
July 30, 2017: The Standard-Times newspaper runs a large profile of the poor field conditions and our Master Plan to address the facility.
June, 2017: T.U.R.F. representatives present to the Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester Select Boards our engineering analysis of the poor field conditions, data on over-use of the facility, and a Master Plan for renovation.
May, 2017: The ORR District School Committee authorizes T.U.R.F. to name a Facilities Committee to steer the project, reporting back to the Committee monthly.
April 27, 2017: Members of TURF present the proposed Strategic Master Plan to the joint Tri-Town Select Board.
April 6, 2017: The ORR District School Committee votes unanimously that TURF committee shall form a Facilities Committee that shall also include one liaison member from the School Committee.
February 16, 2017:
TURF Field Renovation Project
Gains Momentum as
Community Leaders Voice Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 16, 2017
CONTACT: Hal Rood, ORR TURF (Tri-Town Unified Recreational Facilities, Inc.),
508-322-8587 or halrood@gmail.com
T.U.R.F. (“Turf”), the project to improve the conditions of the Tri-Town’s athletic recreational space at Old Rochester High School, gains additional momentum this week as community leaders come forward to voice their support for the initiative.
As details emerge about TURF’s plans to improve the playing and safety conditions of the outdoor athletic area, leaders from the political, educational and business areas of the Tri-Town community are giving a thumbs-up to the group’s efforts since those athletic/rec facilities have not been updated in 15 years.
Last week, the ORR School Committee issued a public statement in support of the project. Here is what other area leaders are saying:
Jody Dickerson, Marion Selectman / Director of Marion Recreation: “Recreation facilities bring people together, increase revenue through rentals and add tremendous value to a town.”
Kate MacGregor, Owner, Bold Moves Real Estate: “As an ORR grad, resident of Rochester and broker-owner of Bold Moves Real Estate, I can attest to the increase in property values that we will all enjoy by having adequate fields.”
Andrew McIntyre, President, Old Rochester Youth Lacrosse: “The biggest challenge we have in this community is the lack of good facilities to meet the needs of our growing programs. Our kids deserve our best effort in this!”
Bill Tilden, Old Rochester High School Athletic Director: “I love that our facilities are used by thousands of people and used throughout the year, but this use is taking its toll.”
Even younger residents of the community are coming forward. “Despite our dedicated coaches and accomplished teams at ORR, our fields put us in a competitive disadvantage,” says Sophie Hubbard, a member of Old Rochester’s Varsity Field Hockey team. “Our chances for post-season play are hurt because of the poor playing conditions.”
Leaders of Old Rochester Youth Football and Old Rochester Little League have also voiced strong support for TURF.
ORR Turf’s major fundraising push this fall enabled it to entirely fund the initial engineering work of the site. The details of the plan will be announced in the coming weeks.
ORR Turf is encouraging individuals and groups to consider donating and showing public support for the initiative. All donations will be used toward renovation of the outdoor rec spaces at ORR. ORR TURF is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization comprised of citizens of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.
For more information, visit their website at www.ORRTurf.com or view the informational video here: https://youtu.be/G78sijve3-I
-30-
December, 2016:
ORR TURF Takes Major Step Forward
in Renovation of Outdoor Space
Thanks to Fundraising Push
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Hal Rood, ORR TURF (Tri-Town Unified Recreational Facilities, Inc.),
508-322-8587 or halrood@gmail.com
ORR T.U.R.F. (“ORR Turf”), is excited to announce a major milestone in the initiative to upgrade the Tri-Town’s outdoor athletic fields at Old Rochester High School. ORR Turf has selected an engineering firm for the phase one schematic of the facility. This phase is being funded entirely by the private 501 ( C ) (3) group.
ORR Turf has selected Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc., one of New England’s most experienced architectural and athletic facility design firms. The firm has over 50 years of experience.
“We could not have funded this critical step without generous support from Tri Town citizens who want to transform our community's outdoor space and make it safer and a more effective use of space,” said ORR Turf President Tom Flynn.
“We are thrilled to be providing design services at the Old Rochester High School site,” said Luke McCoy, Project Manager for Kaestle Boos. McCoy also serves on the national Synthetic Turf Council.
ORR Turf’s major fundraising push this fall enabled it to entirely fund this initial engineering work, which it will be sharing with various committees of the Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester governments.
ORR Turf is encouraging individuals and groups to consider donating and showing public support for the initiative. All donations will be used toward renovation of the outdoor rec spaces at ORR. ORR TURF is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization comprised of citizens of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. The group’s renovation plan will touch all outdoor sports areas at the high school, including increasing the safety and playability of the multipurpose fields and bringing the track up to the state’s recommended standards.
For more information, visit their website at www.ORRTurf.com or view the informational video here: https://youtu.be/G78sijve3-I
