Starting in August 2008, Ballard High School students are going to enjoy a new athletic field and track.

Plans are moving forward on the Seattle School District's plans to construct a multi-purpose field at the high school.

Field reconstruction is part of the Building Technology and Academics Levy passed in 2004. The $1.65 million dollar project calls for a six-lane running track surrounding a synthetic turf field designed to accommodate football, soccer and lacrosse games, as well as track and field events. The current baseball field is going to be removed, and the high school's baseball team will practice on the larger baseball field that is being renovated at Whitman Middle School this summer.

The decision to switch from natural turf to a synthetic field is the result of an extensive study conducted by Seattle Public Schools in 2006. Although natural grass produces oxygen and maintains a small-level habitat for insects and flora, project designers ultimately chose synthetic grass for its durability. Gene Tompkins, architect for the project, said that a major component of the decision was choosing materials suited for Seattle's rainy climate.

"We have to address the run-off of water from the field," Tompkins said. "Because we don't want to overtax our storm drain systems, you have to retain a certain amount of water that's dumped on the field and slowly release it into the storm drain system."

The new athletic field is designed with a drainage system under the surface, which will prevent excess water from making the field unplayable during wet weather.

Other key concerns are the versatility and maintenance of the new field. According to David Standaart, the school district project manager, the new football field will be overlaid with markings for soccer and lacrosse fields. These markings will be weather-resistant and permanent.

Although synthetic fields cost roughly three times more than natural ones, according to a Seattle Public Schools report, upkeep is significantly less expensive.

"Synthetic fields are more usable year-round and require less maintenance," said Eleanor Trainor, school district community liaison. "They use a lot of recycled materials and we only have to replace them every 10 years."

In the recent past, there has been local controversy over the use of synthetic turf in public parks. The Seattle Parks Department's decision to install artificial grass in the Loyal Heights playfield in 2005 generated public protest.

Trainor said that the Ballard High School athletic field renovation would not cause adverse ecological effects. In April, the proposal received a Determination of Non-Significance, an assessment that the project will not cause significant ecological harm, in accordance with the state Environmental Policy Act.

One of the major beneficiaries of the new athletic field will be the Ballard High School track team, for whom the rubberized regulation track will be an improvement from the status quo. Currently members of the team make the journey over to Ingraham High School for regular practices.

"For our track team it's going to be unbelievable all the difference it's going to make," said track coach Bruce Dranger. "Just the bus ride over and back and getting things organized makes their practice days an hour longer each day, so there will be more kids who will be able to practice. It's going to be a great resource for our athletes."

Construction is set to begin early next spring and be completed by late August. DA Hogan and Associates designed the athletic field.

Kat Lewin may be reached at katl@robinsonnews.com