A big change is coming to the GM community: a brand new turf and track.
As Fall sports teams come to a close this November, the $518,474 project of the new turf and track will be started by the company Field Turf. A four month open period has been set for Field Turf to complete the installation. However, the installment of the turf and track is relatively quick– three to four weeks for the turf and 10 days for the track. The long time given is to give plenty of wiggle room for any issues that might arise during the installation.
“The process is not a long one, but we have given that long window because of the winter,” said Athletic Director, Tom Horn. “Most of these projects are done in the summer, which is more predictable in weather while the winter is not.”
The weather is important in the installation of specifically the track. The track installation requires the weather to be above 50 degrees fahrenheit in order for the asphalt to dry. In addition, if there is lots of snow that will also delay the installations of the track and field. While the new turf field is guaranteed, the track is not. Unfortunately, Field Turf has already established that the weather thus far has already fallen below the specified level and the plans for installing the track will be pushed into the spring season.
“We have already experienced overnight temperatures that are below the threshold and the company has halted track work for the winter, said Horn. “This means that the track project will still get done but probably not until the spring, at a time when it will have the least impact on our students.”
However, without any snow fall, the turf is still on schedule to be put in before the spring season. The turf will have new blades of grass– resulting in much less black pellets– and more clear lines on the field. The foundation of where the turf is, is strong and can last a lifetime, so all Field Turf is doing is “rolling” out a new turf.
“I am so excited, because the old turf hurts and [the pellets] get everywhere, and while that is normal for most turf fields, Mason’s is like the extreme,” said senior soccer player, Corinne Carson. “Also I found myself tripping on it sometimes.”
The track will be a bright red color, with a new bouncy surface. Similar to the turf, the track is basically getting a renovation. While the original foundation will stay put, the top layer of the track will be taken off, Field Turf will then re-pour a new layer of asphalt and finally add the track surface on top of the new asphalt. The replacement of the track can be easily equated to replacing a carpet in a person’s house.
In addition to the track itself, there will be a brand new “High Jump” area for the track team.
“I definitely the surface effects the team in their running, because a worn [harder] track affects your legs much more and tires them out quickly– so things like shin splints can occur,” said track coach Jennifer Monk. “So if they can resurface it, that will be awesome for runners.”
With the money, time, and place all planned for the new turf and track, students should look out for the brand new turf surface in the spring and the new surfaced track later in the spring season.
