HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Board of Education decided to accept a bid for artificial turf that will be installed at the Stadium of Champions. They will invest $840,385 in the turf project, which is aligned with the predetermined budget for the renovation. This process includes removing the current natural grass on the field.
“Turf has come a long way from back in the astroturf days when it was basically that thin carpet on top of concrete,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jason Wilson during the May 7 workshop meeting. “What we are proposing to put in has a pretty high pound for square footage mixture of sand, rubber and the silicone mixture in there, so it reacts similarly to a natural surface.”
The bid was awarded to Nationwide Sports Construction, with other incoming bids exceeding their budget. The process includes the removal of the current grass and topsoil, the instillation of proper drainage, along with placing the artificial turf.
Dr. Wilson explained that the artificial turf comes with an eight-year warranty and should hold up for upward of 15 years. He assured the board that the turf will hold up to rigorous use, will have a natural feel and will not have flooding issues, but constant exposure to UV light is what eventually breaks down the material. In the event that the turf needs to be replaced, the process would not be nearly as expensive or invasive.
There was a brief discussion regarding the integrity and safety of the artificial turf, with District 3 Board Member Lindsey Clark ultimately voting against accepting the bid.
| RELATED STORY: CCPS reopens track for community use after $220,000 resurfacing project
Budget for stadium renovation included in CCHS construction
The renovation of the stadium is being done as part as the construction of the new Christian County High School. The $2 million budget for the project comes from the CCHS construction contingency budget, primarily consisting of investment interest payments that CCPS has collected. Superintendent Chris Bentzel said these additional funds were unexpected and are being put to good use as the contingency remains over $2 million.
So far, the stadium renovation is coming in under budget, with the total cost closer to $1.6 million due to a pivot in the initial plan regarding track equipment. Also included in the project is the paving of the “band access road” where the marching band loads and unloads equipment for performances.
The timeline for construction of the stadium was slightly pushed back to due the HHS and CCHS graduations that will be held there at the end of May. Work will now begin after Memorial Day and potentially last through Labor Day. This adjusted plan may impact the first CCHS Tiger football game in August, in which case an alternate location will be found.
“The school is on time and under budget,” Chairman Tom Bell reiterated during the meeting in regard to progress at Christian County High School. It was confirmed that furniture is set to begin moving in and assembled the week of May 11. This continuous process will extend through June.
| RELATED STORY: What will happen to Hopkinsville High? Bentzel shares long-term vision after consolidation