With installation of synthetic turf at the Parkland High School athletic field last year, participants in soccer, lacrosse and field hockey have been benefitting from the product.

However, complaints have arisen over the $3 fee charged students who want to watch the games. Adults pay $5.

Parent Lori Evans told the school board at its Aug. 23 meeting the best part of school sports is having friends come to cheer on the players.

She is concerned these friends will not go to the games if they have to pay to get in.

Evans noted the three sports using the new turf are not like football which attracts a lot of spectators.

Arun Kapoor, father of two student athletes playing on the turf, spoke against admission fees for the games.

“Attendance at field hockey games was low even when they were free,” Kapoor said.

He noted the turf is supposed to be lower maintenance than grass which should provide some savings to the district.

Business Manager John Vignone told The Press the cost of the synthetic turf was $1.4 million, which includes the amount for the product plus fees for engineering.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak supplied some history of the fee issue.

In November 2012, the board looked at the issue of pay to play. Although many districts charge athletes to pay for participation in sports, the board opted not to do that, Sniscak explained.

He said the board eliminated free passes for parents but continues to admit veterans, military personnel and pre-kindergarten children at no charge.

As the turf field has a 10-year warranty, the board and administration decided to look at fees to raise revenue over time toward the replacement cost, the superintendent said.

He noted more than $10,000 was raised through soccer games in spring.

The district has a schedule of fees for all events. Some sports, such as volleyball, have free admission.

“The board sets the prices, and the administration establishes which events will be charged,” Sniscak said. “We’ll continue to evaluate this going forward.

We’ll evaluate if changes need to be made.”