Athens High School new field in the works?

[A-Town Big Dog]

I have heard from a couple of different sources that say once insurance and donation money are secured Basil Rutter Field will recieve a major upgrade to fieldturf, a new press box, a new concession stand located under renovated but not replaced home bleachers and a new entryway through the current softball field (which would be relocated). Has anyone else heard of these or other possible changes? I'm not trying to start rumors or anything, I'm just really curious about this subject and if anyone has solid info to back up what I have heard.

[2trap_4ever]

Sounds great, hope everything works out for Athens, does anyone know when this will be done?

[91blue14]

thats good to hear

[diamondD1]

Still a lot of commitments to secure, funds to raise, etc. The rebuilding will happen once the aforementioned has.

[moonshine]

Question. Did the school system have insurance on the property?

[NY BUCKS]

Yes from what i heard they need.700.000 thousand.hope they can raise they money.

[1987chieftains]

ya but wouldn't insurance cover almost all of the cost?? falling just short of the upgrades.

[schenk11]

The upgrade to field turf would be between 500,000 and 700,000.

[1987chieftains]

wow no kidding!

[A-Town Big Dog]

Insurance is only obligated to replacement cost of existing equipment minus depreciation. The school district to my understanding will receive money to cover replacement of fence, goal posts, scoreboard, pressbox, etc. from the insurance co. to the origional configuration only and any upgrade cost would have to be funded through donations, loans, fundraisers, etc.

[moonshine]

Insurance is only obligated to replacement cost of existing equipment minus depreciation. The school district to my understanding will receive money to cover replacement of fence, goal posts, scoreboard, pressbox, etc. from the insurance co. to the origional configuration only and any upgrade cost would have to be funded through donations, loans, fundraisers, etc.

Thank's, at least they have some money to start with worst case would be to replace the existing equipment. Good luck with your fund rasing!

[ohbuckeye2]

Has there been any big companies in the area willing to step up with some money to help out??

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

praying for ya'll there in athens and any other areas that got hit.

[Orange and Brown]

I hope that Athens can upgrade There facility's. It was already a nice facility, they were in need of field Turf badly. They play freshman, jv, and Varsity football plus jv and Varsity boys and girls Soccer there and all that is to much for the grass to handle. I have a feeling some good people will step up and help Athens City Schools out.

[gridiron fan]

Anyone interested in contributing to the restoration of Athens High School's Football / Soccer / Track Facility can do so through the Bulldog Blitz. They have set up a seperate sub-account for funds allocated for the restoration process.

http://www.athensbulldogblitz.com/home.htm

“Bulldog Blitz Field Restoration”
473 Richland Avenue
Athens, Ohio 45701

There will also be a meeting on Weds. Oct. 27th at Noon at the Athens Country Club to discuss details and meet with prospective donors.

[A-Town Big Dog]

Anyone interested in contributing to the restoration of Athens High School's Football / Soccer / Track Facility can do so through the Bulldog Blitz. They have set up a seperate sub-account for funds allocated for the restoration process.

http://www.athensbulldogblitz.com/home.htm

“Bulldog Blitz Field Restoration”
473 Richland Avenue
Athens, Ohio 45701

There will also be a meeting on Weds. Oct. 27th at Noon at the Athens Country Club to discuss details and meet with prospective donors.

Thanks for the info, hopefully many will attend.

[Zanes-Vegas]

"Fieldturf" has kind of become a generic term, though that is really an actual brand. There are many different companies out there who install this stuff. I can not advise y'all strongly enough to do your due diligence on your turf, including the product AND who's doing the installation.

That said, and on behalf of those of us who did the work to get Sulsberger Stadium renovated, I highly recommend you contact The Motz Group in Cincinnati (http://www.themotzgroup.com/). We used them, as did Logan and Tri-Valley, just to name two other schools you can ask. The Motz Group is one of the installers for FieldTurf (in fact, they were the ones who installed the turf in Ohio Stadium). They are great to work with, too.

I don't think our turf project was more than $500,000 itself (based on actual cost and in-kind work associated with it). Yes, it is pricey on the front end. But you have to remember that this is an investment that should bear out over more than a decade (estimates up to 15 years for a properly maintained field here in the northern climates where there is less likelihood for sun damage). You also realize a major savings in field maintenance costs.

We were in the same position as Athens, in terms of field use. Our soccer teams used the field, as did our varsity and junior varsity football teams and the band (for once-a-week on-field practice sessions). Our freshmen and middle school football teams were still playing across town in our old stadium, and we were paying a rental fee for each of those games. Now, all of our football and soccer home games are played in Sulsberger Stadium, and we also have Bishop Rosecrans playing their home football games here (they were an integral part of our fund-raising efforts).

Good luck to Athens High with the project. Just make sure you don't rush it. Get all of your ducks in a row and be confident in your decision before you pull the trigger.

[john]

What are the long term costs of natural vs. artificial turf?
How long will artificial last? Will it cost more or less to insure and maintain?
Who will pay to replace it at the end of its life?
There has to be trade-offs either way (I imagine there will be less maintenance costs with artificial).

[Orange and Brown]

What are the long term costs of natural vs. artificial turf?
How long will artificial last? Will it cost more or less to insure and maintain?
Who will pay to replace it at the end of its life?
There has to be trade-offs either way (I imagine there will be less maintenance costs with artificial).

In the long run Turf is the way to go. low matainence, low upkeek.
But the cost is outragous!

[55buckeyes98]

When you look at all the advantages turf brings it really is the way to go. You can practice on it... all sports can play/practice on it and it doesn't get torn up. Our kids play 2 hand touch pick up games year round, rain or snow. You can host other games and playoff games in all sports, etc. Overall it is just the right thing to do because of Ohio weather.