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Decision made on turf at new Boardman stadium
By ROBERT CONNELLY
BOARDMAN
Spartan Stadium is one step closer to a new field and stadium for its location off Nisonger Road.
Tim Saxton, director of operations for Boardman schools, said the stadium committee decided on shaw legion turf, a synthetic surface that also was installed at Hubbard’s football field.
He said it will cost $670,000 for the turf and everything that is needed with it.
United Civil Contractors of Hubbard will do the installation. Saxton said United Civil hopes to have the turf finished by Aug. 28.
The new playing surface is just one element of the $3.7 million project to replace the 1930s-built stadium located off Market Street behind Center Middle School. The district began to discuss a new stadium in 2007, but after two bond issues for updates failed it turned into a fundraising initiative by boosters.
Saxton said no one has claimed the donation marks of naming the stadium, a $1.5 million mark, or naming of the field, $1 million.
“At this point, we don’t need it,” Saxton said.
He did say Home Savings and Loan Co. was among the businesses that have provided donations.
The focus now turns to corporate sponsors for fundraising for the project’s stadium portion. Saxton said teams of booster members will go to area businesses to gauge interest in donations. But he wanted to do the turf section first for a reason.
“We think that’s a big piece. People have to know this is a go. ... This isn’t just an idea or sketch,” Saxton said.
The hope is for the stadium to be finished by fall 2015 for Boardman’s first season in the All-America Conference.
The turf field will be used by the marching band, soccer teams, and as a practice surface for softball and baseball.
“It would be great to see them out on the turf and hit some grounders,” Saxton said.