Bowsher and Start high school athletes soon will practice and play on fields that stay free from mud and bumps as the district works to replace tough-to-maintain grass with synthetic turf.
Toledo Public Schools board members approved a contract with Wood County’s Rudolph Libbe Inc. to install turf fields at Bowsher and Start stadiums and exterior lighting at the Scott, Waite, and Woodward high school stadiums.
“It’s going to hopefully, from a maintenance perspective, be a lot easier for us,” said James Gant, TPS’ chief business manager. “If you look at Bowsher’s and Start’s football fields, it’s really hard to keep those maintained the way we would like to have them maintained.”
The project is not to exceed $2.5 million, paid through the district’s permanent improvement fund, and likely will get underway in May. A National Football League Foundation grant could offset those costs up to $250,000, should TPS be approved for funding.
Scott and Woodward high schools already have turf football fields, and officials hope to install turf at Rogers and Waite high schools once the Bowsher and Start projects are complete.
TPS Director of Athletics Ed Kaser said the biggest benefit of converting to turf is that it allows football and soccer teams to practice on the same fields they compete on. TPS teams that now compete on a natural field stay off the grass during practice to try and minimize wear and tear.
“If we have a natural surface, the more you use it, the worse the conditions get,” Mr. Kaser said.
He said the move will be good for football, soccer, and track and field athletes who will all benefit from a level, uniform surface.
District leaders said the turf also will help expand partnerships with community recreation programs.
“To be able to allow the city of Toledo’s youth football programs to come in and use the field and then not hurt the condition of the fields for the high school, that’s something we’re excited about,” Mr. Kaser said.
Lighting is also key. Mr. Gant said there’s been a push for TPS to be able to host more night games, especially at Woodward. Relying on portable lighting isn’t ideal.
Mr. Kaser is also hopeful the improved stadiums — both with new turf and new lighting — will give TPS a shot at hosting Ohio High School Athletic Association tournaments.
Contact Sarah Elms at selms@theblade.com, 419-724-6103, or on Twitter @BySarahElms.
First Published December 1, 2017, 12:30 p.m.
