When the Knights football team steps on the field for its home opener Friday, it will be the players' first time on the new playing surface installed at the Oak Creek High School football stadium.
Just in the nick of time, the turf is ready for the 2012 season. The junior varsity team became the first squad to play on the field Thursday, while the varsity Knights make their debut Friday.
The field looks like real grass but is an artifical surface commonly referred to by the brand name FieldTurf. It has become widely used at football stadiums throughout the country. Supporters say the turf is a safer playing surface and easier to maintain.
Crews continued working throughout Wednesday to prepare the field, meaning Oak Creek had no practice time on it prior to Friday's game against Racine Park. Delays during construction forced work to continue down to the wire.
Head Coach Mike Bartholomew said he told the players they have no control over when the field is ready, so there's no use in complaining about it.
"We've been looking at it every day," he said. "We're ready to get on it."
The Oak Creek-Franklin School Board approved financing for the turf back in March. The estimated cost was $1,042,370. School officials said the money came from within the budget and did not require raising taxes.
Board members said the field can now be used year-round by a wide range of community groups.
"I'm excited personally for football, but I think more so, I'm excited for the community," Bartholomew said. "The community can use it for a number of different things."
Bartholomew said the turf also makes the Oak Creek football stadium one of the best in the region.
"You're talking about probably one of the top five stadiums in the southeast part of the state," he said. "To me, to be part of the Oak Creek-Franklin School District, it really makes you proud of that facility."
David Barber
8:06 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Most places raise the money from fundraisers and private donors. Not our Knight Board of Education. They spend the money they taxed us for. They are playing with words. They didn't raise taxes. Who gave them the money? The taxpayers...says it all. Why didn't the Board of Education raise the money instead of spend ours?
David Barber
8:08 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Couldn't that money have been spent differently? May making our schools better at a lower cost to taxpayers?
c tyloch
9:12 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Wow.... Thats alot of money spent on one school. The others must not be important. Seems like the football teams are all that matters when its tax payers money.
c tyloch
9:22 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Thats a lot of money on one school. Maybe others aren't as important? Couldn't we have used our tax dollars better?
Lisa Krause
10:11 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
You both took the words out of my mouth!
OC neighbor
3:58 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
I don't buy that this field will be used for the "community". Where will Relay For Life be held this year? The old field served its purpose. Why wouldn't the school district spend the money on its biggest black eye. The swimmimg pool is not only old and inadequate for a community this size, but it does not conform to basic standards. The pool violates several regulations that forces High School swimmers to start the races from INSIDE of the pool. How embarassing! I also believe that a quality swimming facility would get far more "community" use from people of all ages. Children's swimm lessons, to competive swim club, to elderly low impact execises. An irony regarding the desparigy of facilities is that $1 of every ticket sold at swim meets goes toward the football field! I sure hope that the school board and the city address this SOON.
CB
4:06 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
We are so very excited about the turf project! We have lived here for many years and have been fundraising for it! Yes, fundraising! Part of the project was funded this way. The complainers should have paid attention in the past. This was the time to proceed with the turf, grants and other funds acquired by the district had deadlines and specifics for their use and the turf project won out. The funds could not have gone into personnel, supplies or the like. Sooooo......
Let's enjoy this state of the art facility! Go knights football, soccer, band, track, etc....yep, it will help them all!!!
OC neighbor
4:44 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
What percent of this field was paid for via fundraising? Should have gone toward putting the OC at the 50 yardline.
mom of 3
11:28 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The soccer team could never play on the old football field, there is NO WAY they will be allowed to play on this new turf. And I already heard the Relay for Life has to find a new location because tents cannot be anchored into the new field. So much for community use!!
Adelly
1:51 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
Sounds like CB is brainwashed by the board.
AmyR
4:14 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
For questions about the source of the funding please refer to the Oak Creek Patch article posted on 3/16/12 titles "Turf Will Make Stadium 'Special Place,' Coach Says."
http://oakcreek.patch.com/articles/turf-will-make-stadium-a-special-place-coach-says
It is unfortunate that the Oak Creek Patch did not provide complete details, even if they were previously reported, in this article.
Nidjo
1:20 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
The field is already painted for soccer, if you look at the black lines on the field, and supposedly the school has goals already so at least the soccer team CAN use it.
Chris Dilts
6:35 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
and over 250 kids in the band