jeffpatterson
04-24-2008, 11:07 PM
Darling Stadium switching to artificial turf
Hampton City Schools officials expect the installation be complete by the start of football season.
By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com | 247-4649
Hampton City Schools officials are in the early stages of a plan that, barring an unexpected setback, would have artificial grass at Darling Stadium by the start of the 2008 football season.
Victor Hellman, deputy superintendent for facilities and business support, said architects currently are designing the field and underground system. The goal is to begin installation in early June, with completion set for late August.
“We believe we’re doing the right thing to help the students,” Hellman said. “It’s going to be a plus for the school division, it’s going to be a plus for the City of Hampton and it’s going to have a positive impact on all the athletic programs.”
Hellman had no estimate of what the cost would be, but recent projects elsewhere should give him a good idea. Jim Wilkins, director of maintenance and facility support for York County Schools, said the final price tag on Bailey Field’s switch to field turf last summer was just under $600,000.
“A lot of it is going to depend on the drainage and the stuff they have to do underneath,” Hellman said. “We’re optimistic that we have a good under structure at Darling Stadium currently, so hopefully that will reduce the cost.”
Other stadiums in the area with field turf include James City County Stadium and Powhatan Stadium in Norfolk. Todd Stadium will not be switching this year, Newport News Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Price said. Instead, workers sodded the field two weeks ago.
Darling is used by four teams as their home stadium: Bethel, Hampton, Phoebus and Kecoughtan. Last season, 26 games were played on Darling’s field in a 12-week span. Field turf would hold up longer and handle rain better than natural grass.
“There was one night last year we played Bethel, and it was pretty sloppy,” Hampton coach Mike Smith said. “That wouldn’t be a problem with field turf. In the long run, it’ll probably save money. And unless there’s lightning, you shouldn’t have to cancel games.”
Phoebus coach Bill Dee, whose team played Maury at Powhatan in the 2006 opener, also welcomes the switch.
“I didn’t used to like turf, but that was the old AstroTurf — that hard, flat stuff,” he said. “But with this new technology, it’s great. With as much use as it gets, it’s a great move.”
The only hiccup for Smith is where to play the VHSCA All-Star football game on July 4. Smith, the organization’s executive director, said he’s now looking for a new site.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to play it at Todd,” he said. “We could have gone to Hampton University, but they’re redoing their track.”
Sherrie Bollhorst, coordinator of athletics for Hampton, said the city has put in a bid to host a Group AAA championship football game at Darling in December. The Division 5 and 6 title games were to be played in Charlottesville, but the VHSL pulled out because of high costs.
Hampton City Schools officials expect the installation be complete by the start of football season.
By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com | 247-4649
Hampton City Schools officials are in the early stages of a plan that, barring an unexpected setback, would have artificial grass at Darling Stadium by the start of the 2008 football season.
Victor Hellman, deputy superintendent for facilities and business support, said architects currently are designing the field and underground system. The goal is to begin installation in early June, with completion set for late August.
“We believe we’re doing the right thing to help the students,” Hellman said. “It’s going to be a plus for the school division, it’s going to be a plus for the City of Hampton and it’s going to have a positive impact on all the athletic programs.”
Hellman had no estimate of what the cost would be, but recent projects elsewhere should give him a good idea. Jim Wilkins, director of maintenance and facility support for York County Schools, said the final price tag on Bailey Field’s switch to field turf last summer was just under $600,000.
“A lot of it is going to depend on the drainage and the stuff they have to do underneath,” Hellman said. “We’re optimistic that we have a good under structure at Darling Stadium currently, so hopefully that will reduce the cost.”
Other stadiums in the area with field turf include James City County Stadium and Powhatan Stadium in Norfolk. Todd Stadium will not be switching this year, Newport News Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Price said. Instead, workers sodded the field two weeks ago.
Darling is used by four teams as their home stadium: Bethel, Hampton, Phoebus and Kecoughtan. Last season, 26 games were played on Darling’s field in a 12-week span. Field turf would hold up longer and handle rain better than natural grass.
“There was one night last year we played Bethel, and it was pretty sloppy,” Hampton coach Mike Smith said. “That wouldn’t be a problem with field turf. In the long run, it’ll probably save money. And unless there’s lightning, you shouldn’t have to cancel games.”
Phoebus coach Bill Dee, whose team played Maury at Powhatan in the 2006 opener, also welcomes the switch.
“I didn’t used to like turf, but that was the old AstroTurf — that hard, flat stuff,” he said. “But with this new technology, it’s great. With as much use as it gets, it’s a great move.”
The only hiccup for Smith is where to play the VHSCA All-Star football game on July 4. Smith, the organization’s executive director, said he’s now looking for a new site.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to play it at Todd,” he said. “We could have gone to Hampton University, but they’re redoing their track.”
Sherrie Bollhorst, coordinator of athletics for Hampton, said the city has put in a bid to host a Group AAA championship football game at Darling in December. The Division 5 and 6 title games were to be played in Charlottesville, but the VHSL pulled out because of high costs.