Turf Replacement
May 25, 2007 05:10 PM | General
May 25, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Work is continuing on the replacement of Milan Puskar Stadium’s turf and installation is expected to be completed in about two weeks, according to WVU Associate Athletic Director Russ Sharp.
Crews have been working during the evening hours to avoid the mid-afternoon heat. About 50 yards of turf has already been secured and Sharp expects the project to be completed in time for West Virginia’s first football camp on June 15.
The new surface will be FieldTurf Duraspine, the patented product that is engineered to replicate the best things about natural grass, while also delivering a surface that performs consistently in all weather conditions and provides a high performance and safe surface - all with just a fraction of the maintenance required by natural grass fields.
“I am convinced we are installing the best surface out there,” says WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez. “Not only will it play extremely firm and fast, but it’s the safest surface you can play on today.”
Ballard Sports of Cary, N.C., is installing the new surface at a cost of $901,152.
Meanwhile, Sharp says construction on the Touchdown Terrace addition should wrap up by the end of June, adding about 300 more premium seats in the North end zone. Work is also about to begin on the Reynolds Family Academic Performance Center and Robert and Erma Hartley Club Level.
Sharp expects the team dining area to be finished in time for fall camp in August with the recruits' dining area completed by the season opener against Western Michigan on Sept. 1. The Reynolds Family Academic Performance Center and Robert and Erma Hartley Club Level should be finished by Oct. Those projects are slated to get underway in mid-June.
