To the editor:

I’m not a Barrington resident, but my daughter and granddaughters are and I have visited many times.

As a former athletic director and coach here in the Philadelphia area I have been frustrated with the powers that be up there who have not approved a turf field (or two!) for those terrific athletes in the Barrington community. 

We recently put in two turf fields at my school here and the benefits are readily apparent: year round play for school and community teams, safe footing in all types weather, proper preparation for aspiring field hockey players who play on turf fields exclusively in college, an area for youngsters to play outdoors during recess times, rentals year-round for organizations needing field space, minimal maintenance costs, etc. I could go on, but you get the drift. 

As I understand it, the main objection to a turf field when it was last addressed was health and safety. It is my experience (and we did similar research) that the newest turf fields pose no threats to the health of the participants.

In fact, I would argue that your athletes are put at a disadvantage by not having turf to play and practice on. 

I would urge the Barrington community leadership to find the funding, get the necessary approvals and permits and turf the appropriate field(s) for your wonderful community and school teams. 

Sincerely

Jim Talbot

Plymouth Meeting, Pa.