School board cuts turf-field rental rate for NW-based groups to $75 an hour for one year

The Niagara Wheatfield Central School District Board of Education voted to reduce hourly rental charges for NW-based student and adult groups using the district's turf fields from $100 to $75 for one year and to review the effect of the change at the end of that period. The motion passed with nine board members voting in favor.

Superintendent Dan recommended the temporary cut during his superintendent's comments, saying, "My recommendation would be to drop that rate for this year to $75 an hour for the, for the hourly rate." He framed the reduction as a one-year test and urged the board to revisit the rate next year to see whether usage increased and whether staff and turf-life impacts materialized.

The reduction followed public comment from a local youth-sports organizer, who requested relief from the district's standard hourly charge. The speaker, identified in the transcript as Vince (resident), described his group's typical three-game event and said the group reserved a seven-hour block while only playing about three hours. "A football game is only an hour long, and we're only playing in that field for 1 hour," he said, arguing that several of the reserved hours produce little extra wear and tear on the turf but still incur the full hourly fee.

Board discussion touched on three recurring concerns: preserving turf lifespan, district staffing and event supervision costs, and fairness to other groups. One board member asked whether lowering the rate would increase overall bookings and therefore accelerate turf wear; another noted that if a group reserves a multi-hour block others cannot use that time even if the group uses only part of it. A board member recommended that organizations submit permits for the specific hours they plan to use rather than reserving an entire block, noting the risk that a group could reserve long blocks and pay only for a few active hours.

District staff clarified how extra costs are assessed: security, lights, and press-box staffing are charged when requested; regular daytime electricity is not separately billed to permit holders. The superintendent and board members also discussed the expected life of the turf installation and the cost of replacement, noting that heavier use can reduce usable life and raise future capital needs.

The approved action directs staff to apply the $75 hourly rate for NW-based student or adult groups for one year and to report back to the board at the end of that period with usage data and any recommended adjustments.

Board members who spoke during the discussion included Superintendent Dan (who made the recommendation) and multiple board members who asked questions or voiced support for a temporary reduction. Resident Vince addressed the board during the public-comment period with the request that prompted the discussion.

The board also discussed operational details such as whether staff must be present for events outside normal school hours and how the district currently applies cleaning and staffing fees. The superintendent said staff presence is required when events occur outside normal operations and that the district charges for staff time that day as appropriate.

The vote: the motion to reduce the NW-based student/adult group hourly rate from $100 to $75 for one year was approved (9 Aye, 0 No).