By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt-Trussville will join the ranks of schools making the move to artificial turf.
The Trussville City Board of Education on Monday approved of spending money within its contingency for artificial turf for the new Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. The board did not approve of spending up to a certain amount, but a rough estimate is between $390,000 and $400,000, Trussville City Schools Facilities Coordinator Barry Davis said during Monday’s work session.
New Hewitt-Trussville head football coach Josh Floyd said at Monday’s meeting that turf is “very important” and “best” for the program. He said it can be used for practice and in the summer for seven-on-seven tournaments, it can help players become accustomed to it for away games, it looks better and more.
Floyd, Davis and Athletics Director Karen Johns on Monday visited Samford University, Vestavia Hills High School, Hoover HIgh School and Lincoln High School, all of which have their own versions of artificial turf. They’ll soon visit Cullman High School.
Floyd said his former school, Shiloh (Ark.) Christian High School, has artificial turf.
“It’s been great for us,” he said.
Davis said adding artificial turf will not delay the overall stadium project, which is ongoing behind the Trussville Civic Center. He also said that the overall cost of artificial turf versus natural grass is about the same.
Board member Sid McNeal said Floyd’s reasons for wanting artificial turf were “compelling.”
Clay-Chalkville is in the process of adding artificial turf for the 2014 season. Pinson Valley is also looking into the possibility at some point in the future.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.