CA Review TL
Meeting Date: Oct. 6, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director [email protected], 442-339-2941
Subject: Phase II of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program:
Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks - Contract Award
District: 2
Reco
mmended Action
Adopt a resolution adopting the plans, specifications and contract documents, accepting bids, awarding a construction contract to Byrom-Davey, Inc. in the amount of $5,683,957 for Phase II of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program, and appropriating additional funds from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund in an amount of $257,090 for the Alga Norte Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Project and $372,800 for the Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Replacement Project.
Executive Summary
The existing synthetic turf on the two multi-purpose athletic fields at Alga Norte Community Park and on the large multi-purpose athletic field at Aviara Community Park need replacement due to their age and wear. In preparation for these replacements, staff engaged a design consultant with extensive experience in athletic fields to review the available synthetic turf systems. That review included consideration of several factors, including performance and durability, health concerns, environmental impacts and maintenance costs, as detailed below.
Staff and the design consultant subsequently developed the plans, specifications and contract documents for Phase II of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program, which consists of the Alga Norte Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4761, and the Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4762. Both projects consist of removing and recycling the athletic fields’ existing synthetic turf and rubber infill material, re-grading and re- compacting the subsurface, and installing the new synthetic turf system, which does not require infill material.
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 1 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C The Carlsbad Municipal Code sections 3.28.080(C), 3.28.080(E) and 3.28.080(I)(6) require the City Council to adopt the plans, specifications and contract documents, and approve all formally bid construction contracts when the value exceeds $220,000.
Explanation & Analysis
Current inventory
Synthetic turf elements have been part of the city’s inventory for approximately 23 years. The city’s current inventory includes:
Eight synthetic turf athletic fields at five sites
• Alga Norte Community Park (two fields)
• Aviara Community Park (one field)
• Pine Avenue Community Park (one field)
• Poinsettia Community Park (two fields)
• Stagecoach Community Park (two fields)
Synthetic turf recreational play areas at two sites
• Alga Norte Community Park (skate park)
• Poinsettia Community Park (playground)
Synthetic turf wedding/event areas at two sites
• Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
• The Crossings at Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course
Demand for fields
As is the case with many California municipalities, Carlsbad has a greater demand for its athletic fields than it has in supply. Over the last couple of decades, staff have held bi-annual field allocation meetings with eligible athletic user groups. Most of those groups generally prefer to be allocated synthetic turf fields over natural grass fields. Staff accommodate as many user group requests as feasible, within the parameters of Administrative Order 80, Athletic Field Allocation Procedures and Policies, but are unable to fully meet the demand for either synthetic turf fields or natural grass fields during certain peak periods.
Projects background
The synthetic turf on the two multi-purpose athletic fields at Alga Norte Community Park was initially installed with the park’s construction in 2013. That synthetic turf contained a crumb rubber infill material and offered an eight-year warranty. After 13 years of heavy programming, that synthetic turf is approaching the end of its useful life and needs replacement.
The synthetic turf on the large, multi-purpose synthetic turf athletic field at Aviara Community Park was initially installed with the park’s construction in 2005. The original synthetic turf contained a crumb rubber infill material and offered an eight-year warranty. After 11 years of heavy programming, resulting in diminished playing condition, the original synthetic turf system was replaced with a comparable synthetic turf system in 2016. After nearly 11 additional years of heavy programming, the existing synthetic turf is approaching the end of its useful life and needs replacement.
As noted above, st
aff and a design consultant from D.A. Hogan and Associates reviewed the available synthetic turf systems for these replacement projects and considered factors such as health concerns, environmental impacts, maintenance costs, and performance and durability.
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 2 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C Recommended system
The synthetic turf system specified to be installed in the scope for these projects is the TenCate Pivot, or another approved system of equal specifications. TenCate is a global leader in innovative, high-quality synthetic turf for athletic fields and landscaping. TenCate’s Pivot system has been specified for this project over other synthetic turf athletic field systems based on the following:
• It is free of added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), avoiding microplastic synthetic compounds used for water and stain resistance, which reduces health concerns and environmental impacts.
• It uses a no-infill system, eliminating the need for traditional infill materials such as crumb rubber, walnut shells or other organics, which reduces health concerns and environmental impacts. Maintenance costs will correspondingly decrease because there will be reduced grooming and no need for redistribution and supplementation of the infill.
• It uses a low-density, porous mineral as a ballast, providing a cooler synthetic turf surface compared to that of a sand ballast, which reduces health concerns and environmental impacts.
• It carries a 12-year warranty instead of the more common eight-year warranty and will retain its acceptable athletic playing condition up to 50% longer than traditional infilled synthetic turf athletic field systems. This system’s useful life may exceed its warranty period. These factors reduce amortized costs, landfill waste and maintenance needs. • It has an attenuation pad under the synthetic turf surface rather than an infill within the synthetic turf. This pad is placed beneath the artificial turf to improve its shock absorption, enhancing safety by cushioning falls and impacts. That attenuation pad carries a 25-year warranty, which further reduces amortized costs, landfill waste and maintenance needs.
• It exceeds industry benchmarks for wear resistance, stability retention and structural integrity over time. This durability has been validated through extensive laboratory testing and continuous high-intensity use, which resulted in performance satisfaction.
The TenCate Pivot synthetic turf system has been installed or is in production at 54 sites across California, including several public parks, elementary and high schools, colleges and universities, and professional athletic facilities. Locally, this synthetic turf athletic field system was installed at the Santee Sportsplex USA in 2024 and at Carlsbad’s Leo Carrillo Elementary School in 2025. Staff reviewed the installed system at the local sites and consulted with the Santee Sportsplex staff and San Marcos Unified School District staff. Both staffs expressed community support, installation efficiency and overall satisfaction with the turf system.
Staff subsequently specified the TenCate Pivot synthetic turf system, or another approved system of equal specifications, for the replacement of the synthetic turf on the large, multi- purpose athletic field at Poinsettia Community Park. That synthetic turf field replacement project was successfully completed in early 2026 as Phase I of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program. This synthetic turf system, or approved equal, has been specified for installation by a qualified contractor for the Alga Norte Community Park and Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement projects. These projects are scheduled to be completed by spring 2027 as Phase II of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program.
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 3 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
Sustainability efforts
The project specifications include removing and recycling the athletic field’s existing synthetic turf and rubber infill material, using TenCate Recycling Solutions, or approved equal. TenCate’s recycling service offers a zero-waste process that diverts thousands of square feet of synthetic turf materials from landfills. This recycling service is consistent with the Carlsbad Sustainable Materials Management Implementation Plan.
Natural grass fields
In comparison, natural grass fields must be well-maintained to provide an acceptable athletic playing condition. There can be health concerns and environmental impacts related to the maintenance of natural grass, such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers. City contractors are required to strictly adhere to all provisions of the Carlsbad Integrated Pest Management Plan.
With that understanding, the pesticides that could be used by city contractors in maintaining natural grass athletic fields include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides. Natural grass athletic fields also require quarterly fertilization and consume significant amounts of water for routine irrigation.
Additionally, natural grass athletic fields require both scheduled and unscheduled closures. • Scheduled renovation closures are for three to five weeks in winter and in summer. • Unscheduled closures occur during rain and often last one to two days after.
Presuming annual average closures of eight weeks for scheduled renovations and two weeks for rain, natural grass athletic fields may only be available for use about 80% of the time that synthetic turf athletic fields are available for use.
The initial costs associated with the installation of natural grass athletic fields are significantly lower than synthetic turf athletic fields. However, the ongoing costs associated with the maintenance of natural grass athletic fields are significantly higher than synthetic turf fields.
In this case, the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of a natural grass athletic field and a TenCate Pivot synthetic turf athletic field are very comparable when those costs are amortized over two 12-year warranty periods of the synthetic turf (i.e., the initial installation and replacement installation) and a 25-year warranty period of an attenuation pad.
Average-sized athletic field Natural grass TenCate Pivot system Initial installation - year one (estimated) $1,837,500 $2,310,000 Maintenance – ongoing (estimated) $1,989,750 $151,200
Bi-annual renovations – ongoing (estimated) $630,000
Replacement w/out pad – year 12 (estimated) $1,995,000 Total estimated cost over 24 years $4,457,250 $4,456,200 Bidding Process
The steps in the public bidding process included:
• Aug. 26, 2026 - City Manager authorized advertising the projects for public bids • Aug. 26, 2026 - Staff advertised the projects for public bids • Sept. 9, 2026 - Staff held a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the park sites • Sept. 23, 2026 - Staff received four bids for the project • Sept. 24, 2026 - Staff completed reviewing the bids for the project Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 4 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
Staff determined Byrom-Davey was a responsive and responsible bidder, with a bid amount of $5,683,957.
Community Engagement
Staff have advised the applicable user groups of the athletic fields’ phased closure during the construction period. Additionally, staff will provide public notification of the athletic fields’ phased closure via the placement of signs at the park sites and the posting of bulletins on the Parks & Recreation Department webpage.
Fiscal Analysis
The total engineer’s estimate for the construction contract for the Alga Norte Community Park and Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement projects is $5,679,325. This figure represents an approximate 20% premium for the initial cost of a TenCate Pivot synthetic turf athletic field system over a traditional crumb rubber-infilled synthetic turf athletic field system. However, because the attenuation pad in the TenCate Pivot system carries a 25-year warranty, it can be used for two synthetic turf installation cycles. So, when amortized over the system’s longest warranty periods, the premium for the TenCate Pivot synthetic turf athletic field system over a traditional crumb rubber infilled synthetic turf athletic field system decreases to about 10%. As noted above, the system’s useful life may actually exceed its warranty period, which would extend the amortization schedule and provide additional value.
The total estimated construction cost for these projects, which includes contingency and construction administration, is $6,339,355. The total appropriations to date for these projects are $5,800,020 ($5,708,500 from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund, and $91,520 from the Parks Major Maintenance Fund - for adjacent outfield chain link fence replacement at Alga Norte Community Park). The total expenditures and encumbrances to date for these projects is $90,555. This brings the total available funds for these projects to $5,709,465, and the total additional appropriation needed from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund to $629,890.
The available funds and the estimated construction costs for these projects are shown below.
Alga Norte Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Project – Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4761
Construction contract -$3,286,590
Construction contingency (estimated) -$328,660
Design monitoring and administration (estimated) -$7,500 Construction management, inspection and testing (estimated) -$40,000 Total estimated construction cost -$3,662,750
Additional appropriation needed $257,090
Appropriations to date (Infrastructure Maintenance & Replacement Fund) $3,360,000 Appropriations to date (Parks Major Maintenance Fund) $91,520 Expenditures and encumbrances to date (Infrastructure Maintenance & Replacement Fund) -$45,860
Total available balance $3,405,660
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 5 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Replacement Project – Capital Improvement Program Project No. 4762
Construction contract -$2,397,367
Construction contingency (estimated) -$239,738
Design monitoring and administration (estimated) -$5,000 Construction management, inspection and testing (estimated) -$34,500 Total estimated construction cost -$2,676,605
Additional appropriation needed $372,800
Next Steps
Over the next several weeks, the contract will be fully executed and a notice to proceed with the projects will be issued to the contractor. Work on the Aviara Community Park synthetic turf athletic filed is anticipated to commence in early November and to be completed in late December 2026. Work on the Alga Norte Community Park synthetic turf athletic fields is anticipated to commence in early January and to be completed in late March 2027.
The use of the TenCate Pivot synthetic turf system, or another approved system of equal specifications, is planned for Phase III of the Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Program in early 2028. This phase consists of replacing the synthetic turf on the large multi-purpose athletic field at Pine Avenue Community Park and the synthetic turf on the arena multi-purpose athletic field at Poinsettia Community Park.
The use of a similar recreational synthetic turf system is also planned for replacement of the synthetic turf at the aquatic center and the skate park at Alga Norte Community Park and the new installation of the synthetic turf at the bike park at Veterans Memorial Park.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action for adopting the plans, specifications and contract documents, accepting bids, awarding a construction contract, and appropriating additional funds for the Alga Norte Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Project and for the Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Replacement Project, and appropriating additional funds for the projects is categorically exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Guidelines Section 15301 because it involves the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. No exceptions to the categorical exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 or Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 19.04.070(C) apply.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution
2. Plans, specifications, and contract documents (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Appropriations to date (Infrastructure Maintenance & Replacement Fund) $2,348,500 Expenditures and encumbrances to date -$44,695
Total available balance $2,303,805
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 6 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C Exhibit 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-189
A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT
DOCUMENTS, ACCEPTING BIDS, AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT TO BYROM-DAVEY, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,683,957 FOR
PHASE II OF THE SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, AND
APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE
MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT FUND IN AN AMOUNT OF $257,090
FOR THE ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND $372, 800 FOR THE AVIARA COMMUNITY
PARK SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD REPLACEMENT PROJECT
W
HEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined it necessary, desirable, and in the public interest to replace the multi-purpose synthetic turf athletic field s at Alga Norte Community Park and at Aviara Community Park, via Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project Nos. 4761 and 4762, or projects; and
WHEREAS, the synthetic turf multi-purpose athletic fields at Alga Norte and Aviara Community Parks are 13 and 11 years old, respectively, and need replacement due to age and wear; and WHEREAS, Phase II of the Synthetic Turf Fields Program is comprised of these two projects: and WHEREAS, the heavy use of these fields over time has resulted in splits/tears, and diminished overall quality of the synthetic turf; and
WHEREAS, on June 1 6, 2026 , the City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Capital Improvement Program Budget, which included these projects; and WHEREAS, in preparation for th ese projects, staff engaged a design consultant with extensive experience in athletic fields to review the synthetic turf systems currently available and that review included performance/durability, health concerns, environmental impacts and maintenance costs; and WHEREAS, t he Pivot, a non -infill synthetic turf field system manufactured by TenCate, or another approved system of equal specifications, was ultimately specified for these projects; and WHEREAS, these projects consist of removing and recycling the athletic fields’ existing synthetic turf and rubber infill material, regrading and re -compacting the subsurface, and installing the new synthetic turf field system; and
WHEREAS, on Aug. 26, 2026, the City Manager authorized advertising the projects for bids; and WHEREAS, the projects were advertised for public bids on Aug. 26, 2026, and the engineer’s estimate for the construction contract cost was $5,679,325; and Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 7 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C WHEREAS, staff received four bids for the construction of the p rojects on Sept. 23, 2026, and determined Byrom-Davey was a responsive, responsible bidder, with a bid amount of $5,683,957; and WHEREAS, the total appropriations to date for these projects are $5,800,020 ($5,708,500 from the Infrastructure Replacement Fund, and $ 91,520 from the Parks Major Maintenance Fund – for adjacent outfield chain line fence replacement at Alga Norte Community Park ), and the total expenditures and encumbrances to date for these projects are $90,555; and WHEREAS, the total estimated construction cost for these projects, which includes construction contingency and construction management, is $6,339,355; and WHEREAS, staff recommend the appropriation of additional funds from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund in the amount of $ 257,090 for the Alga Norte Community Park project and $372,800 for the Aviara Community Park project, CIP Project Nos. 4761 and 4762; and WHEREAS, staff will complete the execution of the construction contract with Byrom -Davey, Inc., schedule a pre-construction meeting, and issue a notice to proceed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the proposed action for adopting the plans, specifications and contract documents, accepting bids, awarding a construction contract, and appropriating additional funds for the Alga Norte Community Park Synthetic Turf Fields Replacement Project and for the Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Replacement Project, and appropriating additional funds for the projects is categorically exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act , or CEQA, Guidelines Section 15301 because it involves the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities with negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use. No exceptions to the categorical exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 or Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 19.04.070(C) apply.
3. That the City Council adopts the plans, specifications and contract documents for the Alga Norte Community Park and Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field s Replacement Projects, CIP Project Nos. 4761 and 4762 respectively.
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 8 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
4. That the bid in the amount of $5,683,957, submitted by Byrom-Davey, Inc., for construction of the Alga Norte Community Park and Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field s Replacement Projects is hereby accepted and the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the construction contract in an amount of $5,683,957.
5. That the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to appropriate additional funds from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund in the amount of $257,090 for the Alga Norte Community Park project and $ 372,800 for the Aviara Community Park project, CIP Project Nos. 4761 and 4762 respectively.
6. That the City Manager or designee, is authorized to approve change orders to the projects’ construction contract in an amount not to exceed $568,398.
7. That the City Manager or designee is authorized to sign all other documents necessary for regulatory compliance, to extend funding opportunities, or to otherwise implement and finalize the projects, all of which are subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney’s office.
8. That the award of this contract is contingent upon Byrom-Davey, Inc. executing the required contract and submitting the required bonds and insurance policies, as described in the contract, within 20 calendar days after adoption of this Resolution. The City Manager may grant reasonable extensions of time to execute the contract and assemble the required bonds and insurance policies.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the C
ity of Carlsbad on the 6th day of October, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Acosta.
None.
None.
_____________
_________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_____________
_________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 9 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
Exhibit 2
Pl
ans, specifications and contract documents
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Oct. 6, 2026
Item #4 Page 10 of 10
Docusign Envelope ID: 74FB9FFC-D6BA-87FE-835D-6B675139667C
1 Morgen Fry
From: Michael Duggan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 2:51 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: City meeting Turf fields Aviara and Alga
Good afternoon, Mayor and Councilmembers:
I noticed on tomorrow night’s agenda that there is a proposed award of contract for replacement turf fields at Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks. I wanted to share our experience with the new turf surface at Poinsettia Community Park and express my strong support for continuing these improvements.
First, I want to thank the City Council for approving the replacement of the field at Poinsettia. The new facility has been a significant upgrade over the previous turf field, and the response from our players, coaches, and families has been extremely positive.
The new surface plays and feels much more like natural grass than the older generation of artificial turf. It is noticeably cooler on warm days and, importantly, does not have the black rubber beads or the rubber and petroleum
odor associated with the previous surface.
From both a playing and overall user-experience standpoint, it has been a tremendous improvement.
Another major benefit is the ability to use the field year-round, rain or shine. Before Poinsettia was converted to turf, the natural-grass field was typically closed for approximately three months each year for repairs, restoration, and recovery. With our fields being used seven days a week, those extended closures created significant disruption for teams and families, reduced an already limited supply of playing space, and came at a substantial ongoing maintenance cost to the City.
Today, our players have access to a consistent and dependable playing surface throughout the year. We are no longer losing significant practice and game time because of rain or extended field-restoration periods, and teams are not constantly having to search for alternative playing space.
For a community like Carlsbad, where youth sports participation is so strong and field space is at such a premium, maximizing the availability and reliability of our existing facilities is extremely important. Based on what we have experienced at Poinsettia, I believe this newer generation of turf represents a substantial improvement—not only in how the field looks and plays, but also in its year-round usability and the overall experience it provides for our families.
All Receive - Agenda Item #_____
For the Information of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date: ___________ CA ____ CC____
CM ____ ACM ____ DCM (3) ____
4 10/06/2026 x x
x x x
2 I strongly support the City moving forward with the proposed turf replacements at Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks and hope those facilities can benefit from the same quality of surface we now enjoy at Poinsettia.
Thank you again for your continued investment in Carlsbad’s parks, fields, and youth sports facilities.
Best regards,
Michael Duggan
Director of soccer
CitySC San Diego
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1 Morgen Fry
From: Maddy Kilkenny <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 6:52 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: SUPPORT: Item 4 on 10/6 City Council agenda
Dear Mayor Blackburn and members of the Council,
I’m writing today in my personal capacity as a mom to two sports driven boys here in Carlsbad. Both my boys are active in club soccer (CITY SC and Rebels) and FNL. The City’s parks are where we spend nearly all of our free time. Getting new turf at Alga Norte and Aviara would be a game changer, just like it has been at Poinsettia. My goalkeeper son will no longer have to blow his nose just to get the rubber pellets out of his nose after practice. The fields at Poinsettia are fantastic. Turf fields also enable my boys and all other young athletes to play sports year round.
While grass fields are wonderful, the amount of maintenance required to keep them healthy and free of gopher holes and uneven surfaces seems too burdensome compared to the cost of new turf which has made incredible advancements in durability and sustainability.
I urge your support of Item 4.
Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Maddy Kilkenny
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1 Morgen Fry
From: Steve Cowell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 8:24 PM
To: Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Melanie Burkholder; Kevin Shin; Teresa Acosta Cc: City Clerk
Subject: Support For Item 4
Good evening, Mayor and Council-members:
I’m writing in strong support of Item 4 on tomorrow night’s agenda regarding the replacement of the turf fields at Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks.
My name is Steve Cowell. I am a Carlsbad resident in District 1, a Director at City SC, and, most importantly, a father of two boys, Finley and Noah, who use Carlsbad’s fields virtually every day.
I want to express my appreciation for the City’s decision to replace the turf at Poinsettia Community Park. As a family that uses the field weekly, we have been thrilled with the improvement. The new surface is noticeably cleaner, there are no longer black rubber beads getting everywhere, and the petroleum smell that was so noticeable on the old turf is gone.
But one of the biggest differences we have personally noticed — especially during this recent heat wave — is how much cooler the new turf feels. As a parent watching my kids train on these fields day after day, that is a meaningful improvement. The difference is noticeable not just to the players, but to the families standing alongside the fields.
That experience is why I strongly support bringing the same turf replacement material to Aviara and Alga Norte. These fields are used by thousands of Carlsbad children and families throughout the year, and the City has an opportunity to build on what has already proven to be a tremendous improvement at Poinsettia.
From my perspective, this isn’t simply an investment in soccer fields. It is an investment in the health, safety, comfort and overall experience of the kids who spend so much of their time on them.
I’m proud to live in Carlsbad and grateful that our City continues to invest in facilities that our families rely on every day. I hope you will continue that progress by approving Item 4 and moving forward with the replacement of the Aviara and Alga Norte fields.
Thank you for your consideration and, more importantly, for continuing to invest in the kids and families who make Carlsbad such a great community.
Best regards,
Steve Cowell
Carlsbad Resident – District 1
Director, City SC
1 Morgen Fry
From: Glenn Malone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 10:24 AM
To: Melanie Burkholder; Priya Bhat-Patel; Kevin Shin; [email protected]; Keith Blackburn
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: Support For Item 4
Good morning, Mayor and Council members,
I’m writing in support of Item 4 on tonight’s agenda regarding the replacement of the turf fields at Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks.
My name is Glenn Malone, and I’ve lived in Carlsbad for over 30 years. My wife and I raised our two children here, and our son grew up playing soccer on fields throughout the city. He is now also a coach, so these facilities have been a big part of our family’s life for many years.
As Executive Boys Director at City SC, I also see how much these fields mean to our players, coaches and families. They are extremely busy throughout the year and provide a place for children to stay active, make friends and develop a love of sport.
I appreciate the City’s investment in the new turf at Poinsettia Community Park. The cleaner surface, without the black rubber beads and strong smell associated with the old turf, is a welcome improvement. The feedback about how much cooler it feels is particularly encouraging, especially with the hot weather we’ve recently experienced.
I would like to see those same improvements brought to Aviara and Alga Norte. When children spend hours training and playing on these fields, the quality and comfort of the surface really matter. This investment will benefit thousands of children and families who use these parks.
Having watched my own son go from a young player to a coach, I know the lasting impact these facilities can have. I want the next generation of Carlsbad children to have the best possible experience too.
Thank you for continuing to invest in our parks and community. I hope you will approve Item 4 and move forward with replacing the turf at Aviara and Alga Norte.
Best regards,
To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
Office
prevented
auto matic
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Internet.
Glen
n Malone
Executive Boys Director of Coaching
t. (760) 672-8260
e. [email protected]
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All Receive - Agenda Item #_____
For the Information of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date: ___________ CA ____ CC____
CM ____ ACM ____ DCM (3) ____
4 10/06/2026 x x
x x x
1 Morgen Fry
From: Diana A <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 4:02 PM
To: City Clerk; Kevin Shin; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn Subject: #4 AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BYROM-DAVEY, INC. FOR PHASE II OF THE SYNTHETIC
TURF FIELDS REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR ALGA NORTE AND AVIARA COMMUNITY PARKS, CIP PROJECT NOS. 4761 AND 4762 –
Hi,
Please do not fund any synthetic turf. It's hazardous to our health & environment.
Long term this is not the best approach as it will need to be replaced.
Health questions remain: Some turf products contain chemicals of concern, and researchers say thesafety evidence is incomplete. That makes exposure a particular concern for people who use the fields often. thanks, Diana Aguirre D3 resident
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All Receive - Agenda Item #_____
For the Information of the:
CITY COUNCIL
Date: ___________ CA ____ CC____
CM ____ ACM ____ DCM (3) ____
4 10/07/2026 x x
x x x
1 Morgen Fry
From: Brian Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:41 PM
To: Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Melanie Burkholder; Kevin Shin; Teresa Acosta; City Clerk
Subject: Support for item 4
Good afternoon, Mayor and Councilmembers:
We are writing in strong support of Item 4 and the proposed replacement of the turf fields at Aviara and Alga Norte Community Parks.
Our family is involved in setting up and preparing fields for soccer events throughout the year, so we see firsthand what happens to fields when they are being used heavily, week after week. From our perspective, one of the biggest advantages of the proposed turf replacement is the ability to dramatically increase the number of hours these fields can be used without continually worrying about damaging the playing surface.
Soccer fields take a tremendous amount of wear. With tournaments, practices, games, camps and other community activities taking place throughout the year, grass fields can quickly become overused. Once that happens, the fields require recovery time, maintenance and, in some cases, significant repairs. That ultimately means fields are unavailable precisely when families and organizations need them most.
We also regularly see the challenges that come with using grass school fields as alternative locations. Broken irrigation valves, saturated or waterlogged areas, uneven surfaces and other maintenance issues can make fields difficult or impossible to use. A field can look perfectly fine one day and then be unavailable the next because of irrigation or weather-related issues.
That creates a significant logistical challenge for the organizations responsible for scheduling and setting up soccer events. Games and tournaments don’t simply disappear when a field becomes unusable. They have to be moved, schedules have to be changed, teams have to be notified and families have to adjust their plans.
Modern turf provides a level of consistency that is extremely valuable for a community like Carlsbad. It allows fields to be used for longer hours, more days of the year, and with far less disruption from weather and irrigation issues. Just as importantly, it allows the City to get substantially more use out of an important public asset while reducing the pressure placed on the City’s grass fields.
We have also seen the improvements firsthand at Poinsettia Community Park. The new surface provides a significantly better experience for players and families, and its ability to remain consistently playable is particularly valuable for organizations trying to manage large numbers of teams and events.
Carlsbad has a tremendous soccer community, and demand for quality playing fields continues to grow. Replacing the fields at Aviara and Alga Norte with the same modern turf used at Poinsettia 2 would give the City additional facilities that can reliably handle that demand while protecting the City’s investment in its fields.
We strongly encourage the City Council to approve Item 4 and continue the progress that began with the Poinsettia Community Park replacement.
Thank you for your consideration and for continuing to invest in facilities that serve so many Carlsbad families, athletes and community organizations.
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
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