Habersham County’s School System has decided to replace the turf along the 90,175 square-foot field at Raider stadium for the first time in almost a decade.
Habersham County’s Board of Education approved replacement of the field at a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 21.
The artificial turf made of matrix-helix material replaced a natural grass field in 2016 and has since deteriorated. Replacement is expected to cost around $621,400. A capital projects account will cover the cost.
“(The turf) has reached its life expectancy,” Facilities and Maintenance Director Denise Gunn said last week. “It’s far past it…the fibers are becoming to where we’re losing a lot of them and we’ve got a lot of wear spots.”
As the item was approved at Monday’s meeting, Habersham County Board of Education Chairman Doug Westmoreland noted use of the field at Raider stadium goes beyond just the sport of football.
“That field is used by more than just the football team,” Westmoreland said. “It gets used by our entire community…the boys and girls soccer team uses it. Graduation uses it. Special olympics uses it. It’s not just football. It’s always good to be informed and know the right and correct information when you’re talking about something.”
He added: “I know it looks good from up at the top, but if you go down there on the turf, the little blades (of turf) are starting to separate and come apart, so it’s time (for replacement). Many groups get to use that, so we’re proud of that facility.”
With the field’s condition declining before expiration of a 10-year warranty, replacement will come at a discount of $40,000.
School officials said the shock absorbent material of the turf makes for safer play on the gridiron for Habersham County football teams and other sports.
“Matrix turf has undergone decades of in-depth research and intense testing,” Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin said. “It has proven stronger, more reliable and yields a longer lifespan than most turf systems.”
Work on the field will be conducted by Texas-based Hellas Construction. That work is set to begin in mid-November, with the project scheduled for completion in January 2025.
School officials said the proposed project also could bring opportunity for a Raider logo change, though no decision has been made on what that could look like.
