I know a lot (maybe most) schools in the larger divisions (4A-6A) have turf fields. Curious what 2A schools play on turf fields?
Turf fields?
- Thread starter VolNation85
- Start date
Graham high school plays on Bluefield college turf field, for now. I believe they planning to build thier own stadium.
Galax High School 1a had turf installed last year.
Galax High School 1a had turf installed last year.
Honaker 1A, Richlands and Central in Wise Co. Those and the 2 mentioned above are all I can think of.
Graham plays at Mitchell Stadium, which is a municipal stadium owned by the city of Bluefield, WV.
Graham High, Bluefield High (WV), & Bluefield College(VA) all pay a hefty fee each year to rent the stadium.
Bluefield High & Graham have been playing their games there for decades. Bluefield College just started their football program back about 7-8 years ago. Before that the last time they played football was 1942.
There are preliminary plans for the town of Bluefield, VA to pay 6 million dollars to build Graham their own stadium with a turf field in the next two years.
According to Wikipedia, George Mason(Class 2 this year, but Class 3 next year) has a turf field.
Are you not mentioning Ridgeview because you're salty or because it truly slipped your mind? Lol
Can NOT believe I forgot them. They have an absolutely awesome building and facilities!
Lol. Definitely not salty. LOVE that campus! Envious maybe.
Poquoson has a turf field...personally, I think football should be played on grass, but do understand why so many schools resort to turf.
I use to be a traditionalist too and say that football should be played outdoors and on grass but now, I'm definitely in favor of turf. Turf is far less costly and less maintenance long term. But that turn should be outdoors. None of that pansy indoor football that some NFL teams play.
Teams like Detroit and Minnesota sacrificed a HUGE home field advantage when they went from outdoor stadiums to domes. I dont think it is any coincidence that Minnesota hasnt returned to a Super Bowl since going indoors.
Am I in the minority when I say that most of the new NFL stadiums look like crap now? One in particular being San Frans new digs. It's so...cookie-cutter. I prefer the bowl shaped stadiums like Green Bay.
Ridgeview is a newer school? right? they have only been around no more than 5 years correct? If so....Who paid for the facilities to be so nice? City, town, community?
Edit:
Just google mapped them...WOW?!!!! Good stuff right there!
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=e...hUKEwjj-6jDr__dAhUnmeAKHTcODo4QoiowCnoECAoQCQ
Edit:
Just google mapped them...WOW?!!!! Good stuff right there!
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=e...hUKEwjj-6jDr__dAhUnmeAKHTcODo4QoiowCnoECAoQCQ
How are the maintenance cost less? I've heard that but it seems to me that you could buy a lot of grass seed for a million $. And don't you have to replace a big part of the field every 10 years or so?
Army corp of engineers.
This should explain the backstory...http://www.thecoalfieldprogress.com...cle_5231478d-0456-5cb5-b540-8d1f385ef0a8.html
This was the open house with pictures...https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/...db734dd4-3d7e-11e5-ae0b-dbcc9b3b6812.amp.html
More pics... https://www.heraldcourier.com/ridgeview-high-school/image_2062c742-3d59-11e5-90a1-67fee8cf0cd7.html
It's absolutely stunning in person!
The maintenance cost are less because there is no maintenance cost, literally. You literally don’t have to do anything to upkeep a turf field.
One of many I'm sure, and other studies may have opposite conclusions...
https://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/cost-grass-vs-synthetic-turf/
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
Except NOT use a snow plow on it to clear snow. That WILL destroy it. Ask the city of Bluefield, WV/VA. Lol
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
If we’ll kept, no need to replace for 15 years or more.
Did you read that link? Even the upkeep is expensive, and then every 10-15 years you have to shell out big bucks to resurface it
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
Surely with a town like Big Stone Gap that’s Hungry for football, y’all could find a donor like Richlands and Honaker did lol.
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
I like having a consistent surface when it rains or when the suns out lol.
For someone who helps paint the field weekly I can say having turf would be nice. But at the same time the field looks much "cleaner" with just the football lines on it rather then those and soccer.
Painting a field is a big job, thankfully we have a good group of guys and once the initial time is done it goes much faster.
Painting a field is a big job, thankfully we have a good group of guys and once the initial time is done it goes much faster.
I had heard that the invention of turf was predicated by the Cleveland Browns cheerleaders constantly grazing on the grass fields. I could be wrong though.
Getting the Turf at Galax was very much needed. With the limited space on campus it caused the field to be over used. The tea. Had to practice on the field everyday as well as playing on it. The band practiced every day on it. Then there is soccer that wore it out more than the rest. So the grass field never had a chance to recoup.
They was smart in the soccer lines as they are a light shaded grey and do not show up very bright.
They was smart in the soccer lines as they are a light shaded grey and do not show up very bright.
Not even spray it off after a game? All that spitting and sweating and other bodily fluids? EWWWWWWWWW!!
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
That doesn’t seem very fair to the soccer kids who are just as successful at Galax lol. Their lines are lighter which sucks for them.
The idea that a soccer team tears a field up is laughable. I have heard it for years, and there is NO proof to support this. However, I like Galax field now, and most of the players are used to turf. Nearly every real soccer complex is turf anyway with god only knows how many and what colored lines. (We had one lined for soccer, football, lacrosse, QUIDDITCH, and something I still haven't figured out this fall)
I like turf from a coaches stand point, but if not well maintained it can be a nightmare surface that hurts more than helps. (Coonskin Park in WV)
I like turf from a coaches stand point, but if not well maintained it can be a nightmare surface that hurts more than helps. (Coonskin Park in WV)
Every grass field I've ever seen in the spring has two dirt patches right where the goal keeper stands. Some worse than others but other than college fields which are extremely well kept, every HS and below field that soccer is played on is worn in those spots. Same as a football field gets worn between the hashes. Nothing against either but people in cleats and high traffic do wear out the grass over time
The argument that artificial turf saves maintenance costs is laughable, especially when you consider that is has to be replaced at least every ten years, so right there the cost is $100,000 per year in depreciation even if it doesn't cost a nickel to maintain it. Also, if the school district folds the cost into a bond somewhere, and most do, that's at least $50,000 in interest and much more for years to come until the bond is paid. I don't think all the mowing, lining, seeding etc. is even a small fraction of that. Third, is it a priority over the true mission of the school to educate. If not then there are some serious opportunity costs to consider. The only thing that would convince me, if I were a decision maker would be whether or not it would increase attendance and would the pride taken in a nicer field produce a better team effort and greater community pride. Those are the intangible benefits you cannot measure easily in terms of dollars but where the payoff really is.
Having said that, it looks like Glenvar may be going that route soon as all the other schools have it already in the district.
Having said that, it looks like Glenvar may be going that route soon as all the other schools have it already in the district.
I agree, I don't see how the cost for artificial turf is less over the long haul. I'd be shocked if anyone spent more than $100,000 maintaining a natural grass field over 10 years.
I think it is more a convenience thing. You don't have to worry about putting lines on the field every week. You don't need to worry about whether it is too wet to play on. It is ready to go. Multi-sport use. All that being said, I prefer grass fields.
Most stadiums have grass that has to be mowed in and around the stadium area anyway and with the new, bigger mowers that can turn on a dime and have the power to mow very quickly, I don't see it costing much either when compared to turf.
I will agree that there is usually a patch in each end zone for the keepers...I overlook that small spot as the football teams I support so rarely get there. The PAT spot is the worst. On some fields it is a literal hole now.
I'll agree to disagree with you there. Ask some of the rec directors and see if soccer is not as bad or worse.
I agree it's a convenience and that is a big selling point to the people and powers that be who have to do the work to prepare the field for every event...but it's a very expensive convenience...that is why I don't shop for my groceries at a convenience store...just isn't smart generally.
