Schools with artificial turf

[SWE'98]

The subject of artificial turfs was just broached in another topic. I certainly understand the pros and cons of it. Pros are safety from muddy fields, a pristine field all year, less maintenance, etc. Cons are costs that many counties can't afford, losing the feel of "real, dirty football, and not being able to dress the field up (lines) for different sports. It seems that artificial turfs are plentiful in the Charlotte area and the mountains area. I am surprised that there aren't many, if any in the Greensboro, Raleigh, and Fayetteville areas, that I know of anyway. My question to you is are there any artificial turfs at schools that AREN'T considered to be Charlotte and mountain area schools? This is mainly for my education, because I don't know of any, but would love to learn if there are.

 

[bareman]

Monroe has it

 

[LabaR]

I'm more curious of where does the money come from?

 

[exsshs]

I'm more curious of where does the money come from?

I'm sure Monroe's came from the county school budget. I believe Charlotte/Mech schools require all new schools to have turf. However, new studies show that turf is not always cheaper than natural grass. I think the Univ of Alabama did a study that showed it was more expensive; especially in warmer areas of the country. Goolge the article; it's pretty eye opening.

 

[BlueVols]

Not sure about being more expensive the further south towards the equator you go. Grass fields, particularly Bermuda, thrive better in warmer climates thus making them a more viable option. Of course the big time college programs can afford to maintain pristine grass fields with the money they are bringing in.

My concern when we got it was the youth players that used our field and those around Asheville. The youth leagues are starting their seasons as early or earlier than high school now and around here, many want to play the 1:00 pm slot. A sunny day and turf in August and the field is easily hitting 110 degrees, that's pretty rough on a kid. My suggestion was to move to the 5:00 pm slot, and even then that is pretty hot.

We paid for ours in Haywood Co. with the lottery money. Thanks for buying scratch offs everybody!

 

[prlyles]

My biggest concern with it is the possible health risks. Some studies have shown a higher rate of some cancers among kids who play on it.

 

[exsshs]

My biggest concern with it is the possible health risks. Some studies have shown a higher rate of some cancers among kids who play on it.

It has nothing to do with how well grass grows in warmer climates. One item the study mentions is the amount of water you have to put on turf to cool it down; the turf and subsurface get quite warm. That's just one of several issues; cancer risk is another.

 

[BlueVols]

My point was grass is a more viable option further south as an option to the expense of turf.

As for cooling fields down, most local fire departments will do it for nothing.

 

[btango]

Some schools have did very well financially renting their stadiums out to youth leagues. Ardrey Kell would have as many as six games on a Saturday. Add to that they also allow youth soccer teams and adult soccer clubs to use the facilities. When a school has four soccer teams and two football squads the turf is a great option for late season when the grass fields are chewed up.

 

[SWE'98]

My biggest concern with it is the possible health risks. Some studies have shown a higher rate of some cancers among kids who play on it.

Jesus Christ, what doesn't cause cancer these days? I'm just gonna stay indoors for the rest of my life. But I'm sure the television and lights are giving me cancer too.

 

[LabaR]

I can see it being worth the expense if you the school decides to charge a usage fee. Any idea how much these schools charge for letting youth leagues use the stadiums?

 

[prlyles]

Jesus Christ, what doesn't cause cancer these days? I'm just gonna stay indoors for the rest of my life. But I'm sure the television and lights are giving me cancer too.

I think the concern is with using old ground up car tires..

 

[FridayNiteLights1217]

I think the concern is with using old ground up car tires..

Could it be the rubber, the oil or the die to make the black ties green or all the above ? Funny it has took ,oh well how many years have they used artificial turf ? As long as I can remember ! Always something ,eggs bad for you now good for you. Fat bad now good !

 

[SamTheMan]

Works great for the Jackets. Allows many, many different uses basically 24/7. Virtually maintenance free. Even allows for other teams to practice when their's is too wet. (I.e. puppy dogs!!)

 

[FridayNiteLights1217]

Will any of the NW1A go with artificial turf ? Or even thinking about it ?

 

[Sportsnut17]

Will any of the NW1A go with artificial turf ? Or even thinking about it ?

Any of them got a $100,000 laying around?

 

[SamTheMan]

Any of them got a $100,000 laying around?

Try about $600,000 !!

 

[Sportsnut17]

Try about $600,000 !!

With a life of 8-10 years.

 

[FridayNiteLights1217]

Any of them got a $100,000 laying around?

Pocket change for you Sportsnut17

 

[Sportsnut17]

Pocket change for you Sportsnut17

I could handle the $100,000, but not the $600,000. Hahaha