Turf Update - Week 3 Progress plus Fundraising Update

Week 3 of the Turf project is in the books and we're one step closer to the finish line.

Below you'll see some pictures of the progress and below that, an update from the contractor and also an update from the turf committee as to where things stand financially.

Turf Update - Week 2 - Day 6

Stopped by the field this past Saturday and wanted to share a few items with you as the project prepares to enter it's 3rd week of work. Week 3 will see the stone base put down as well as a fabric liner to aid in drainage and to also separate the dirt base from the stone base.

Remember, fundraising it still ongoing.  We're still hoping to raise several hundred thousand dollars in order to fully pay for the turf project, any associated costs/overruns and to possibly seed other projects at the stadium to be done in the future.  You can give right now at RedRiderTurf.com by using your credit/debit card through PayPal or print out a pledge card and mail in your payment.

Turf Update - Week 2 - Update from the Contractor

There's not a lot of visible work going on right now at the field, but lots of smaller tasks are being completed in preparation for the stone drainage base and the arrival of the turf.

Below is an update from Brad at Maumee Bay Turf on what is going on this week and next.

As far as the financial aspect of the project...at last report, the project has just crossed over the $500,000 mark of committed funds.  That means we're close, but not yet at the finish line.  Thank you to those who have already given and to those considering it.  There is no such thing as too small of a donation...every bit helps. 

Head over to RedRiderTurf.com and donate today.

Orrville Turf Project - Week 1, Day 4

Just a quick update today. The sod is completely removed and work has begun on installing drainage pipe around the perimeter of the field.

Here's your daily panorama showing the field in it's current state.

Also of note is the new scoreboard that was installed last year. I noticed a crew working near it & went to investigate. What I saw was this..

Notice the lights coming out from the bottom? Those are new. If you recall from last season, when the sun set, the 10 advertising panels were almost impossible to see due to the lack of lighting. These lights will take care of that problem & give the scoreboard a nice finished look at night.

From the Contractor...
Maumee Bay Turf has been kind enough to send along updates as they progress through this project and it was agreed that this is information that the turf committee wants to share with the public, just to keep folks up to date with accurate information.

Here is their plan for the next week or so...

• installation of perimeter drainage system will begin tomorrow and should take all of Thursday and Friday.
• field will be compacted and proof rolled by Friday June 15th.
• Burkey Excavating will be quitting a bit early Friday to allow Relay for Life to hold their event.
• curb cut (along inside perimeter of track) will transpire Monday or Tuesday.
• surveyors will be on site Monday or Tuesday to locate control points and stake for new goal post/soccer goal sleeve installations.
• Vasco Group will be on site early week to pour track event (long jump & pole vault) runways.
• installation of geotextile subgrade liner and flat panel system along with install of stone field base will begin Friday the 22nd or Monday the 25th.

I know I'm repeating myself a lot...but it needs to be repeated...the project has begun but the fundraising is on-going.  Contributions can be mailed in care of the OHS Booster Club, or donations can be made online via PayPal.  RedRiderTurf.com has all the info.

The goal has not been met and fundraising will continue until that time.  When completed, this project will vault Red Rider Stadium into one of the nicest facilities in the state for a school our size.  In the last 5 years, we've seen new visitor bleachers built, new home bleacher coverings, new lights, a new scoreboard and now turf and track.  We're certainly a blessed and fortunate community to be able to provide a facility like this for the next generation of Red Riders.

Orrville Turf Project - Week 1, Day 3

Work continues fervently at Red Rider Stadium's Serpentini Field today as the crews were blessed with another great weather day. As you'll see from the pictures below, more than 50% of the existing sod has been removed and if the weather holds, all of the sod will be removed by week's end.

I love sharing these pictures with my readers, but several times already I've had to stop and remind myself that THIS IS HAPPENNING...in ORRVILLE!!  We WILL play Triway on September 7, 2012 on a turf field.  Is that amazing or what? It's a testament to our community and the support of Red Rider alums all over the country.  Life takes us all in many directions, but we're all still Red Riders.

I don't have an exact number, but I think that among schools our size in the entire state of Ohio, there's less than 10 that can boast a turf field.  The fact that we're going to be able to do this with 100% of the funds being privately donated speaks volumes about this special community.

On to the pictures... (but don't forget to head over to RedRiderTurf.com to pledge your support today).

Turf Update with Pictures: Work has begun!!

Things have officially gotten started at the corner of Mineral Spring and Ella Streets as the first steps to remove the natural grass field and replace it with a new synthetic turf surface have begun.

My plan is to provide pictures of the process from start to finish so all of Red Rider Nation can see the progress from start to finish.  If you're the bookmarking type, click here and bookmark it.  Each time I update with new pictures, you'll be able to find them there.  That same link has also been added to the home page of RedRiderTurf.com

I'm hearing that the project, while getting started this week, won't hit it's full stride until next week, after this weekend's Relay for Life has ended.

Please remember that while work has obviously started...fundraising is still on-going and needed to fully fund the project.  Head over to RedRiderTurf.com to read about all the advantages this surface will provide and to make your 100% tax-deductible donation today! 

Now on to the pictures....

Turf Project News - Naming Rights Sponsor Secured & Progress Update

(Photo from Serpentini Orrville's Facebook page - Bob Serpentini and Orrville superintendent Jon Ritchie)

Exciting news from the 'Team up for Turf' project, as local car dealer Serpentini Chevrolet has secured naming rights to the new turf field at Red Rider Stadium for a period of 10 years with a generous donation toward the project.

The field itself will be named Serpentini Field in recognition of their significant donation.  It's great to see a local business step up with a continued commitment to Orrville High School and OHS athletics.  For each of the past 2 years, Serpentini has donated a new car to be raffled off by the OHS Booster Club and has been a supporter of several YMCA youth sports leagues as well as other community efforts.

This is the 2nd naming rights sponsorship Serpentini  has secured since 2010.  Back in November of 2010, Serpentini secured the stadium naming rights sponsorship of North Royalton's new Stadium.

It is my understanding that the stadium will still be called Red Rider Stadium, but the field will be referred to as Serpentini Field.

In general, the Orrville business community has been absolutely awesome in their support of this project and we should all be proud to live in a community with a business base that supports the school system.  Time and time again, the business community, alumni and citizens of Orrville have come through in a big way and they've done it again.

Project Update
The "Team Up for Turf" project will move forward the week of June 11th (!) with the removal of the grass sod and leveling of the field, followed by installation of new drainage and aggregate and then the installation of the synthetic turf surface and new all-weather track.

The installation of the turf field from start to finish will take several months (assuming no delays), so the decision was made to begin the project as soon as possible so the field would be ready for the first home football game September 7th against Triway. 

The removal and replacement of the existing 8-lane track will be paid for with school dollars that have already been earmarked for that purpose.  It was slated to be done next summer (2013) but was moved up to be done in concert with the turf project to realize a significant cost savings.  The current track is well beyond it's useful life.

This next part is REALLY important...............

While the project may begin next week, the fundraising period will continue with efforts to reach out to Orrville alumni, former football players, former soccer & band members as well as the Orrville business community to raise the balance of the funds needed to complete this vision. 

Please do not assume that because you see the project being started that fundraising in complete.  The project is nearing 75% funded & we feel confident that the Orrville community and alumni will step up and help us reach the remaining goal.

'Team Up' to bring TURF to Red Rider Stadium

Remember when I wrote this two years ago? My dream of one day having turf at Orrville's Red Rider Stadium. Seemed like the biggest pipe dream ever at the time, right?

But it appears that this "dream" is about to become a reality, perhaps as early as THIS summer!!

I'm happy to announce that a committee of Orrville citizens, alumni and fans, formed back in January of 2012 to explore bringing turf to the home of the Red Riders, has secured a large portion of the necessaary funds thorugh a period of "silent" fundraising.

State Track Recap: 7 Red Riders named All-Ohio

Wanted to recognize the Orrville track program on another successful showing at the OHSAA State meet in Columbus.  The Red Riders sent down competitors in 7 events and placed in the top 8 in 5 of the 7.  A top 8 finish earns All-Ohio honors.

Leading the way were field events where senior Lexi Jarrett finished 2nd in the Div. 2 Pole Vault with a jump of 11'6". That breaks her own school record and establishes a new Wayne County record. (the county record is 11'8" set by Chelsea Detweiler of Dalton in 2008).  The area record of 12'0" set by Stephanie Foster of Cloverleaf in 2010 still stands.  Jarrett finished 5th in last year's pole vault, making her 2nd place finish this year her 2nd straight All-Ohio finish in pole vault.

Fellow senior Stewart Turner Jr. finished 2nd in the boys long jump with a jump of 22' 11 3/4".  The winning jump was 22' even, meaning Stewart was just 1/4" from tying for first, and just 1/2" away from a state title.

On the girls side, senior Nicole Greegor capped an excellent career at Orrville with a 4th place finish in the girls 100m hurdles. This was her 3rd appearance at the state meet. She qualified for the 100 hurdles as a sophomore, junior and senior, and the 300 hurdles her junior year.

Also a senior, Drew Brenner finished 7th in the 300m hurdles.

Brenner also anchored the 4x200m relay team also consisting of Joel Zook, Elijah Coleman and Cody Weaver that finished 7th. 

So that's 7 Red Riders to leave Columbus with All-Ohio honors, with Brenner being a 2-time All-Ohioan.  All were seniors except for sophomores Joel Zook and Elijah Coleman.

Brenner capped a great senior season in which he earned All-Ohio honors in football and basketball as well as today's 2-time All-Ohio performance in track.  Pretty rare feat to be named a 4-time All-Ohioan in 3 sports in a single school season.  Guessing maybe Brent Steiner may be the only other recent graduate to be an All-Ohioan in 3 different sports in a single season. (Sam Reusser was a 3 sport All-Ohioan in 2010-11 in football, wrestling & track. Thanks to Coach Ayers for the reminder)  Add in his All-Ohio honor from this past football season and also his 2 All-Ohio honors last year in track and he's a 6-time All-Ohioan at Orrville.  Ashland U. sure has a good one coming their way.

I also want to mention Stewart Turner...he was a 3-time All-Ohioan last season in track, and made All-Ohio in both his junior and senior season in football at Orrville.  Add in this year's All-Ohio in the long jump, and he's also a 6-time All-Ohioan over the past 2 years.  So he was a 4-time All-Ohioan last year and Brenner did it this year.  Quite the accomplishment by both young men.

That's a wrap on another sports season at OHS.  The start of football practice is about 2 months away....won't be long.