Football field to get AstroTurf
March 11, 2010
Updated Photo Gallery of Installation
Astro Turf Rendering
"Once work is completed, SWOSU will have one of the best playing fields in the region. The project will utilize some of the latest technologies available and will include the highest quality of synthetic turf available by one of the recognized leaders in the industry." Thurman said.
The turf installation is expected to be completed by commencement exercises on May 8, 2010. However, Thurman and company officials have targeted April 17th as a hopeful completion date to coincide with the football team's annual spring game.
"With the addition of this multipurpose field, we feel the SWOSU athletic program has taken a major step forward in terms of its athletic facilities. In fact, this particular field should be one of the best of its kind among all NCAA Division II schools. In addition, it also continues the long-term commitment to improving facilities for all of our 300 student-athletes and their teams."
The field is expected to be utilized in a number of ways not only for football games and commencement exercises. It will also serve as a practice and performance field for the University's Marching Band and also will be available for a variety of high school and community activities
Thurman said there were several good reasons SWOSU decided to make the switch from the long-standing grass surface at Milam Stadium to the modernized playing field.
"Each year SWOSU spends considerable amount of money with general maintenance, watering, sodding, re-seeding and the necessary painting to maintain a natural grass field," Thurman said. "This project will eliminate that. There is no question in time, the project will pay for itself, and we will be glad we did it."
Funding for the field turf project was financed by the University's Foundation according to director Jim Waites. The SWOSU Athletic department is currently seeking private monies and sponsorships to help repay the foundation's loan.
"Our Foundation and our board of directors are always looking for ways to help the university," Waites said. "This was a unique project that allowed us to do more than just scholarships. As the Foundation grows, opportunities such as this field turf project will hopefully become even more common place in the future."
New SWOSU president Randy Beutler praised the foundation and its board of directors for their willingness to make the project a reality.
" We understand the large up-front cost that is involved with this type of project considering today's tough economic climate," Beutler said. "We approached this with careful study and deliberation and felt the long-term advantages were too great to overlook. Sometimes even in the most difficult of challenges; opportunities arise. That's the case here."