Artificial Turf to be Added at Three Maryland High Schools

The Maryland state Board of Public Works has approved funding to add artificial turf to athletic fields at three county high schools.

The three-member board approved about $2 million to install the turf at Meade, Glen Burnie and Severna Park high schools, which will cost a total of $2.8 million.

County Executive John R. Leopold praised the state panel for providing the money through the state's Project Open Space program. The board, which includes the governor, comptroller and state treasurer, also approved nearly $1.1 million for the second phase of the Broadneck Trail, a $1.4 million project.

"I think this is an example of a unique partnership between the county and the school board," Leopold said. "Ultimately, with this kind of support from the state, all 12 of our high schools will have turf fields. We're able to expand athletic opportunities for our students, as well as for the surrounding communities."

The board of public works approval came two months after an auditor ruled that Anne Arundel County officials did not err in awarding a $10.8 million artificial turf contract to a politically-connected landscaping firm.

The county's contract bidding procedures came under question because the primary contractor responsible for installing turf fields had no experience working with the material.

An audit, requested by the County Council and released in August, criticized the county for signing contracts with a second company to oversee the bidding process and the construction, saying the deals were made outside county guidelines.

Leopold said: "There was an audit requested by the County Council, and an audit was completed with only one minor finding."