Replace the High School Track and Install Multi-Use Synthetic Field
Details About the Track Replacement and Synthetic Turf Field at HHS
The track and field would be used for athletics, outdoor physical education, marching band practices and performances, year-round community recreation, and more.
Why Replace the Track and Install a Synthetic Turf Field at Hockinson High School?
Hockinson High School (HHS) is the only school without an artificial turf stadium field in its 17-school Greater St Helens league. Our current field does not meet the facility requirements for postseason football and soccer competitions. This means that our athletes have to travel and rent other facilities, adding unnecessary expenses to our athletic budget.
In Hockinson, it’s possible to host home games and postseason football and soccer competitions. This would reduce travel and rental expenses for our athletics program.
The existing grass field can support a limited number of events each year—about 20 football and soccer games—due to wear and tear concerns. This limitation also means we can't rent the field out to community groups. Additionally, the maintenance costs for the grass field exceed $10,000 annually. This includes watering, painting and repainting lines, fertilizing, sanding, seeding, and mowing.
The track surrounding our field, installed in 2003, has reached the end of its lifespan. Tracks like ours typically last between 8-15 years. We're spending between $8,000 to $10,000 each year to patch up age-related issues.
Why Synthetic Turf?
Hockinson High School (HHS) is currently the only school without an artificial turf stadium field in its 17-school Greater St Helens league. This means that HHS students practice on grass but often play on synthetic turf. A synthetic turf field also provides a playing surface that can be used year-round, unlike grass fields that often become muddy or unsafe during the rainy season. While about half of NFL teams use natural grass, their needs differ greatly—they play much faster and harder than the average high school student. Synthetic turf significantly reduces ongoing maintenance expenses like watering, mowing, and replanting.
About the Bond
In February 2025, a Hockinson School District bond will be on the ballot. If approved, it will fund:
- Constructing a second elementary school to address overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School, the largest elementary school by student population in Clark County.
- Making safety improvements at the existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School site, including improving lockdown capabilities.
- Building a Career & Technical Education add-on at Hockinson High School for job readiness education.
- Installing a new synthetic turf field at the high school and replacing high school track
- Adding an outdoor cover for athletics and install an ADA ramp at HMS
In Hockinson, it’s possible to accomplish this for $44/month for the average owner of a $750,000 home. Visit hocksd.org/bond to find detailed information about all four Hockinson School District bond project priorities.
Where do the dollars go?
Bond dollars support our schools and benefit our Hockinson community. If the bond passes, it would allow local contractors to submit bids for construction projects, creating opportunities for school investments to stay close to home.
Remember to vote by Feb 11
Ballots are due by February 11, 2025. Hockinson voters will receive ballots by mail in late January. Voters can return completed ballots by mail or using a Clark County Elections dropbox.
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If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day;
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If using a drop box, ballot must be turned in by 8 pm on Election Day;
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If returned in person to the Elections Office, it must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.