DANVILLE — When the Danville Blue Devils football team takes the field to scrimmage Newark Catholic on Aug. 8, it will do so on a brand new synthetic turf.
Head coach Matt Blum cited two primary reasons for installing turf.
“The first thing is the condition of our grass field,” Blum said. “We have actually lost home games because of the condition of the field.”
The squad has had to relocate to the junior varsity field and other venues because the natural grass was unplayable.
Versatility is another factor that played into the decision.
“With turf, we can use it 365 days a year, where with grass we are only able to use it 40 times a year and that is really limited only to football,” Blum said.
The school maintenance department presently spends approximately 500 hours a year, maintaining the grass field, according to a publication by the boosters, this could be reduced to as little as 10 hours.
Blum said the new field will allow other organizations to use the facility.
“Today would be a perfect example. As wet as it is, our baseball and softball teams cannot use their fields. With turf that will not be an issue.”
The coach also said the grass varsity field can only be used for games.
“We’ll be able to use the new field to practice on,” Blum said.
The coach said the marching band will now have a place to rehearse its routines, too.
Covering the cost
The $1.2 million price tag includes more than a new turf field. The plan is to lay concrete under the visitors’ bleachers and replace all lighting with new LED lights.
While the Village of Danville owns the property, the school has signed a 25-year lease. The contract for the new field was inked on April 7.
“The groundwork will begin in late May, early June with a target date of Aug. 1 [for completion,]” the coach said.
The Athletic Boosters are in the midst of a fundraising project to cover the project’s cost.
“The school board and the school district are not contributing any initial funds toward the project but are setting aside funds for replacement costs in about 20 or 30 years,” Blum explained.
The Boosters have developed a tiered donation platform.
The Founders Club is for donations of $50,000, The Blue Devil Ring of Honor Club for a donation of $25,000, The Blue Devil Champion Club comes with a $10,000 donation, a donation of $5,000 is recognized as the Tough Street Touchdown Club, the 500 Club comes with a donation of $2,500 and the 200 Club has an entry donation of $1,000.
Donors can pay in five equal payments over a five-year period. Donations come with various recognitions.
“We have great momentum so far and are looking for more support,” the coach said.