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....

The first picture below shows work being done along the home sidelines.  This was the area that was previously covered in asphalt but was replaced with a small patch of turf just last year to improve drainage and improve safety. (all the pictures can be enlarged by clicking them).

Same thing was done on the visitor sidelines.

Here's a closer look at the work being done on the visitor side of the field.  Quite a lot of progress has been made already.

Here's what used to be the pole vault pit.  A new pole vault pit will be built here to go along with a new long jump pit at the north end of the field.

This is a shot of the north end of the stadium, just beyond the endzone where the band bleachers used to sit.  This will be where the new long jump pit will be located when the project is finished.  (Note: Sometime during the project the goal posts will need to be removed.  I believe those were new in 1996, but will be replaced with posts that can also accommodate soccer goals like these.)

Here is a shot of the contractor that will be doing the work. Maumee Bay Turf is located in Oregon, OH and has done fields mainly in the Northwest part of the state (Clyde High School, Sandusky High School and Milbury Lake). They have also just completed the resurfacing of the Cincinnati Bengal's stadium. This is their first big project in the Northeast part of the state and could be quite a show piece to other area schools.

Lastly, here is a panoramic shot of the stadium. I'll try to get a shot from this angle every day I'm out there just to give some perspective to the progress of the work.