Buerk Field gets new turf for 2014 season

By Erin Short

The Bulldog football team runs out for their first home game, but not onto the traditional field, onto the team’s new synthetic turf.

“Our field looks so great; it’s a new expierence,”  sophomore Noah Day said.

Synthetic turf is not only more asthetically pleasing, but much safer too according to studies by the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Synthetic turf causes 74% fewer muscle tears and 32% fewer ligament tears than grass surfaces. It also causes 47% fewer cranial and/or cervical injuries and 12% fewer concussions than a normal grass field.

Five teams are currently utilizing the turf, three  high school teams and two middle school teams. But this field was not free, it cost $1.25 million.

“It was worth the money,” head football coach Charlie Fields said. “We had substandard facilities for a 6A football program.”

Going to synthetic turf is expected to reduce field maintenance significantly. The switch will eliminate painting yard lines before home games, mowing the field,  and saves water. A natural grass playing field uses about 50,000 gallons of water per week during growing season, as opposed to the much lower amount of water used to sustain a turf field.

“Top notch facilities could serve as an attractor for parents when choosing where to enroll those students,” Deputy Superintendent Brad Snyder said.

Once Providence High School changed to turf in January, Floyd Central HS and New Albany HS decided it would be in their best interest to follow. The new turf is said to make NAHS more appealing for students and athletes looking to move to the area.

“It’s a good time for NAHS sports!” Cameron Inlow said.