Skip To Main Content

Turf Field Proposal

The topic of turf fields is not new to our community. The district previously proposed two taxpayer-funded bonds for turf fields in 2013 and 2015, neither of which passed. Over time, the district has also taken a variety of steps to address ongoing drainage issues on existing fields that can lead to delays or cancellations of athletic events.

Unlike with a bond proposal, the decision to accept a private gift falls within the authority of the school board and does not require a community vote.

Throughout the spring of 2026, including during the April, May and June Board Meetings, the board discussed the proposed gift and heard feedback from community members, including concerns about potential environmental impacts associated with artificial turf fields. Proponents of the field and those in opposition hosted meetings and wrote hundreds of letters to the Board and district administrations. In response to community feedback, the district independently engaged outside firms Waite Heindel Environmental Management and Sanborn Head to conduct an evaluation of the potential impacts an artificial turf field at CVU could have on groundwater, surface water and public drinking water.

Various documents, reports, statements, presentations, and recordings of Board Meetings where this proposal has been discussed are published below.

Resources

Meetings & Forums - Recordings/Presentations

June 2026 CVSD Board Meeting - Includes Public Comment, Board Discussion, Board Action, and Presentation by Waite Heindel and Sanborn Head (see below for report and presentation materials).

May 2026 CSVD Board Meeting - Includes Public Comment and Board Discussion beginning at 1 hr, 12 mins. 

April 2026 CVSD Board Meeting - Includes Public Comment and Board Discussion beginning at 50 mins

Responsible Growth Hinesburg Forum (April 10, 2026) - Includes the following presentations:

Community Field Project Forum (April 8, 2026) - Includes the following presentation:

Other Resources

Gift Agreement, also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (July 15, 2026)

CVSD Board Chair Statement re: June 30 Vote (July 15, 2026)

Evaluation of Potential Impacts on Surface Water, Groundwater, and Public Drinking Water from A Proposed Artificial Turf Field At Champlain Valley Union High School - Prepared by Waite Heindel Environmental Management and Sanborn Head

Superintendent Statement Re: Turf Field Proposal (June 4, 2026)

Waite Hendel Environmental Management Letter of Engagement (April 27, 2026)

Superintendent Statement Re: Turf Field Proposal (April 6, 2026)

News

The Hinesburg Record has extensively covered this topic, and their stories are compiled here.

Additional stories—including news, letters and op-eds—can be found in reporting from the Vermont Community Newspaper Group (Shelburne News and The Citizen), Vermont Public, Seven Days, and the Williston Observer.

Due to the volume of reporting, we are unable to publish and update a comprehensive list of stories, letters and op-eds regarding this proposal.

Submit a Comment

If you would like to submit a comment on this topic, you may email the CVSD School Board at cvsdschoolboard@cvsdvt.org. Emails submitted to the School Board become public record.

CVSD School Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at the CVU Library at 6 p.m. Find more information here. Commenters are allotted two minutes.