New Turf Field for Clinton High
- Thread starter FOOTBALLFANTIC
- Start date
I hope it hasn't died. The largest obstacle will be convincing the folks in power that this would be a great purchase! If the money is not spent on a turf field, at least spend more painting up the playing field, like black/gold lines at the 50 and the 20's.
I definitely agree, but you know how it goes...when something makes too much sense....
Another question. Does any Dark Horse fan think that the home stands will be changed to aluminum?
Personally I hope not. The concrete is an iconic look of all big and tradition based programs, but mostly in the West. If they decide to switch to aluminum at some point I hope they keep the capacity as high and the steepness of the stands. Our home side goes 15 rows high and even on row 1 you can see great. The visitor seats that were replaced a few years ago are terrible. They went with length instead of height and you can’t see anything on first 3 or 4 rows. Would’ve been better to do just 2 or 3 big sections and build them up higher but it’s just an opinion.
P.S. If you want an example of poor views and being miles from the field, go see Midway and Unions. Brand new stands basically, but horrible sight lines and a freaking mile from the playing field. While there old stands were right on the field and steep, at least a midway. This is where getting something new isn’t always better.
Did Clinton's visitors side used to be concrete like the home side. I went to a playoff game there mid 80s against Oxford Webb and could have sworn there were concrete on both sides but went to a game there about 10 years ago and was low set aluminum...was always curious about that.
Oxford Webb fan, that would have been 1984, the year we built the stadium. As to the visitors bleachers the boosters hauled in dirt to fill the hole left between the the 2 field with the crown built up . The boosters hauled many many dump truck loads of dirt to build that area up 5 feet. The original visitors side bleachers were the wooden bleachers from the visitors side in the old stadium. We were running low on $$$ and had to cut corners like the original light poles were in front of the bleachers there again cutting corners. Over the 34 years updates have been made the second set of bleachers on visitors side were aluminium but they were cheap essentially like the wood but metal. A few years ago they got the chance to purchase almost new bleachers from Fayettevilke State University that were aluminium and closed on the underside. That's what's there now and I think they're really nice, concrete walkways almost about 60 yards in width. I don't say you won't find many visitors side bleachers that nice. A few years later we got the new directional lightening. The concession stand and bathrooms got a major upgrade. The field house was air conditioned. I think it's still a nice stadium. If at anytime we do make any upgrade to the home side a elevator/lift must be made to the pressbox (disability rules) The stadium has served our community well over the years keeping in mind the largest functions held there are not football games but band competitions and Relay for Life
I understand, but the stands are not ADA compliant(I am disabled). Also what will happen when that concrete begins to crack? Aluminum stands could be built just as steep as the current stands. There is nothing more beautiful than driving down Elizabeth Street and seeing Dark Horse Stadium loom as you drive closer.
I’d be all for it if done right. All we need is another excuse of a stadium rebuild like the basketball gym. No way should your middle school gym be bigger than the highschool gym, and all they can say is ooops sorry. That’s all I worry about if/when they renovate.
Oh man, I feel you on that!!!! It's bad when opposing teams see the main gym and ask if it is the auxiliary gym. But you're absolutely right in that it has to be done correctly, right from the onset. Things in Clinton/Sampson County have been known to be done half-assed, like the 3 high schools.
Wiz, Thanks for the thorough response but I'm not an Oxford Webb fan. I'm a Hoggard grad. In the early-mid 80s my dad used to take me to playoff games all throughout SE NC. Went to Clinton, Wallace, Whiteville, Tabor City, SW Onslow because Hoggard was never a playoff team and we hated Hanover LOL. Saw some great playoff games, experienced some tremendous small school atmosphere and Clinton always one of my favorite places to watch a game.
I would switch venues. Have the middle school games at the high school and high school games at the middle school.
No one will admit they screwed up. I wonder if given the choice would coach Davis prefer to play games at the middle schcol. He knows that gym well. Only has like 2-3 losses in it in like 7 years.
There were multiple design flaws of the main gym: The entrance/exit doors were placed in the middle instead of either end, so when fans come in or leave, they're on the playing floor, very little sideline, so again the fans are forced to walk on the playing floor while games are being played. No banners in the gym displaying conference championships in all sports(like other gyms have), the sound system is on the floor next to the entrance/exit doors instead of being at the scorer's table. Whoever designed that gym needs to be fired!!!
The sound system is actually above the center of the court, the controls to the sound system is beside the entrance. The capacity is way to small. Capacity is around 600. Middle school gym is 1000 easy. Think of the $$$ lost on big games. They turned lots away for the game last season against Fairmont. Gym was 3/4 full of fairmont fans because they arrived 1-2 hours early for the game. By time most of our fans got there it was full.
On a positive note: Acoustics are great in there. Lighting too. Not a bad seat in the house, if you can find one that is (big games of course).
Thanks for clarifying on the sound system controls!. Yes, the lighting and acoustics are great, just that whole seating thing. Wasn't a row removed from the bleachers to give the team benches extra room?
I was told original capacity was supposed to be 900. But because the sides were made 2 narrow, a few rows were overhanging on court. So 2 rows I think were removed from the top and then some folded in, (Hence the look you get from visiting fans who sit on the folded rows in the middle and there feet doesn't touch the ground because its 2 rows folded in). Needless to say its a mess, but in our defense it still is a very nice Gym compared to some others. So in that regard, while not perfect, we should be thankful.
I’m sorry, can’t be grateful when millions of dollars was spent on a significant error. A capacity of only 900 was too small to begin with, then had to take several rows out?
Alil off subject but i use to wonder why conference championships werent displayed somewhere in the stadium....i think i know now lol....we got 26 of em dont think they can fit all that on the scoreboard.....would be nice to have that displayed somewhere in the stadium aswell
Some stadiums I’ve visited had large boards either inside the stadium or just outside the stadium with the conference championships posted on them. Either the Booster Club could raise money, material donated or if they still have wood shop classes, one could be built.
Since Clinton has partnered with BSN Sports and Nike, I wonder what the new unis will look like? I suppose they could give the current uniforms to the middle school since both schools now have the same mascot.
There won't be any new uniforms for the football team this year. The boosters and school just spent some $16,000 last year to outfit the team in new uniforms and new uniforms typically come in 5 year cycles. The basketball team has new Jordan uniforms coming in, but that is because they were up for uniforms. There is always a grace period to switch over companies, especially at the high school level. It's expensive to outfit any team with uniforms, especially the football team. Almost as crazy as the fantasy that Clinton will get a turf field or a jumbotron. The amount of money that would need to be raised or donated for that would be incredible and could go to something much more important than a turf football field. Keep in mind that the high school and middle school football teams are the ONLY teams that play on that field. That equates to about less than 15 games being played on the field the whole year. Schools that have turf fields are those that have multiple sports playing on the field throughout the year. Not knocking anybody's dreams or vision for the program but just being real. Go Horses!
I like the Under Armour uniforms. Field turf idea was probably just a dream case scenario for original poster and followers including myself.
Ok, I can see the football team not getting new uniforms this year due to rotation, but your comment regarding the turf field suggestion is pretty abrasive. It is not a "fantasy," that could actually be realized like I stated in previous post. The Jumbotron idea was just that, an idea. The soccer complex was once a "fantasy", but with hard work from the community with donations and such, the complex is now a reality. Dark Horse Stadium was also built the same way, so why would you state that a turf field would be a "fantasy"?
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“Fantasy” or not, turf would be awesome. Keep the “fantasy” alive Fantic LOL. Go horses.
BTW, I’m on your side was just joking about the use of the word “fantasy” by HorseFly.
We all know it’s not likely a realistic idea but definitely cool to “fantasize” about
I dont think its too farfetched if it gets brought up and everyone is on board why not...sure its not gonna happen next week but a couple years down turf field is definitely something we can do.....5 games or 15 games who cares it would look great.....also not forgetting band day,relay for life and i see they had graduation on the field......in the long run it would be a great investment
Believe me FOOTBALLFANATIC many prior to 1984 though the football stadium was a fantasy. It certainly wasngt a priority, but when the boosters went to the county commissioners, (not the school board) and presented a plan of matching funds and in kind labor, the late County Commissioner Marion Butler said, "I believe in helping people who help themselves." The boosters got the matching grant and the stadium at the new school got that stadium 9 years after the school was built.
Those interested in field turf might want to read the thread on the 3-A board. We explored it in Thomasville a few years ago. The cost was significantly more than the numbers mentioned here and the ROI was much longer than the field would last.
I see why it might be needed in the western part of the state, but not sure about other areas. I’d love to have someone who sells or installs turf post on the true costs, life expectancy, maintenance, etc..
I see why it might be needed in the western part of the state, but not sure about other areas. I’d love to have someone who sells or installs turf post on the true costs, life expectancy, maintenance, etc..
Fundraising these days is not nearly as reliable as it was in the past. In the mid 1980’s, my school’s booster club purchased 40 acres of land adjacent to the high school, put a track, tennis courts, softball and baseball fields and a practice field in place and essentially paid it off in a little over a decade. Even with great leadership in place, the corporate landscape and individual generosity has changed.
Another local high school attempted to build an on campus auxiliary gym about 10 years Ago. They finished the project, but ended up defaulting on the loan to the tune of about 700k.
My view on an artificial field is that installment/replacement funds come all at once. When the lifespan is over, it’s over. What do you do if you don’t raise 800,000 to replace it during its lifespan? What happens to the other sports’ funding when you have to focus solely on a playing field for one sport? (Maybe more of you line it off for soccer or lacrosse)
Commissioners can be helpful, but not as likely if all the other county’s schools are standing in line with you with their hands out too.
Another local high school attempted to build an on campus auxiliary gym about 10 years Ago. They finished the project, but ended up defaulting on the loan to the tune of about 700k.
My view on an artificial field is that installment/replacement funds come all at once. When the lifespan is over, it’s over. What do you do if you don’t raise 800,000 to replace it during its lifespan? What happens to the other sports’ funding when you have to focus solely on a playing field for one sport? (Maybe more of you line it off for soccer or lacrosse)
Commissioners can be helpful, but not as likely if all the other county’s schools are standing in line with you with their hands out too.
This is how FieldTurf provides the best value:
Natural Grass FieldTurf
Base preparation $150,000 $320,000
Materials $2.75 per sq. ft. = $220,000 $4.75 per sq. ft. = $380,000
Maintenance $20,000 x 10 years = $200,000 $5,000 x 10 years = $50,000
Total $570,000 $750,000
Scheduling Possibilities 25 hours x 25 weeks x 10 years = 6,250 hours 68 hours x 44 weeks x 10 years = 29,920 hours
Average Cost Per Hour of Use $91.20 $25.07
Figures based on 80,000 square foot fields and average costs and usage rates across North America
Natural Grass FieldTurf
Base preparation $150,000 $320,000
Materials $2.75 per sq. ft. = $220,000 $4.75 per sq. ft. = $380,000
Maintenance $20,000 x 10 years = $200,000 $5,000 x 10 years = $50,000
Total $570,000 $750,000
Scheduling Possibilities 25 hours x 25 weeks x 10 years = 6,250 hours 68 hours x 44 weeks x 10 years = 29,920 hours
Average Cost Per Hour of Use $91.20 $25.07
Figures based on 80,000 square foot fields and average costs and usage rates across North America
Talked to a gentleman last night who oversaw the installation of two turf fields in Guilford County. In both cases, the cost was a million. I mentioned some of the numbers on this thread and he laughed. Keep in mind he is the customer, not the vendor and did extensive homework. Being a governmental entity, there was a bid process involved, so presumably, he got the best price. He also has had soccer fields built and advocates natural grass everywhere except the goalie boxes.
This matches the cost estimate we were given in Thomasville ten years ago. Our situation is a little different because the city owns the stadium, not the schools. The schools have their own practice fields, so the stadium is used roughly thirty days per year. We couldn’t justify it, but maybe some schools can.
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