As years-long scrutiny and review of a plan to overhaul the regional high school athletic fields drags on, the Oak Bluffs planning board came under fire Thursday night for extending the process even further.

“Several stringent government standards have already been applied to this project,” John Zarba told the board. “Let’s please stop the delays.”

The $11 million phase one project to build a 400-meter track and turf field was approved by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission nine months ago. The project is now before the Oak Bluffs planning board for a special permit since it lies within the town water planning resource district, an overlay planning district.

But unlike the MVC, the planning board has limited powers of review over the project.

In an opinion last fall, town counsel Michael Goldsmith found that under the Dover Amendment the planning board cannot “unreasonably condition” the project in a way that would deny the use. The Dover Amendment is a state law that allows religious and educational groups more latitude to skirt local bylaws.

A public hearing opened on Feb. 10, was continued to Feb. 24 and again to March 24. Thursday was the first opportunity for the high school to make its presentation.

Chris Huntress, the architect for the track and field complex, detailed plans for the project and the materials that will be used.

A two-layer track with a gel base and composite surface are proposed for the track. Mr. Huntress said that while the track would make use of SBR crumb rubber — a kind of rubber made largely from tires — the volume would be reduced by 78 per cent compared with the school’s existing track. He added the crumb rubber is all but necessary to allow for cushioning on the track and help prevent injuries for the school’s athletes.

“A harder track could provide shin splints to these growing athletes,” he said.

The proposed turf field, made with a woven synthetic turf and organic infill, will also include a shock pad underneath, Mr. Huntress said, to aid in preventing common injuries such as concussions that occur due to field impact.

“This is a player safety issue,” he said.

Proponents who spoke included Oak Bluffs finance and advisory committee member and former selectman Walter Vail. Citing third-party evaluations that determined the project would be safe for use and not pose a detriment to the town’s groundwater, Mr. Vail urged the board to move the process along.

“The student athletes on the 13 teams that utilize this field need a safe and reliable [facility],” he said.”

Brian Patrick Hall said the turf field would be an environmental benefit, positing that the amount of nitrogen needed to maintain the existing grass field could be harmful to drinking water.

“Please approve this special permit,” he said. “Don’t add nitrogen overload into the water.”

Others called for the board to acknowledge the dilemma facing student athletes, whose facilities are increasingly substandard compared with their mainland counterparts.

“I want to see my home supporting athletes the way I have seen elsewhere,” declared field hockey coach Rebecca Nutton.

Board chairman Ewell Hopkins continued the hearing to March 31 at 5:30 p.m., when opposition testimony will be taken.