Can Stadium
Field Events Be Increased? - Yes
Based on research from the Sports
Turf Managers Association, an hourly per year usage rate could
be used as an educated guideline for Legion Stadiums main field.
Evidently, a couple of New Hanover County and City officials have
concluded 54 events per year is the maximum allowable field usage
capacity. Regional and local turf grass experts disagree. This
mythical subjective 54 number is based on someone’s perception
of field performance with absolutely no quantitative data to substantiate
findings. Plus, apparently no one keeps an eye on the actual amount
of time any one group or team is verifiably on the field. Non-game
practices and scrimmages appear to be normal field routine with
little to no monitoring. Practices can cause appreciable damage
due to their repetitive nature in particular areas of a field,
so they must also be factored into the equation. As per the STMA
chart, 400 to 600 hours appears to be an acceptable number
for Legions stadium field to remain in good condition. As an example;
400 hours divided by 4 hours per game would give Legion 100 events
per year – not 52. Wilmington Parks and Recreation stated
85 slots would accommodate all yearly stadium field game requirements
including NHHS, semi-pro and other events. Many options to enhance
play are available to Parks and Recreation such as establishing
a committee of coaches actually using the field and let them exchange
ideas on how to achieve and enhance field conditions – they
know the game and areas of compromise. Given the opportunity to
play on the stadium field, parents, supporters and teams will
have little to say regarding field conditions – remarking
primarily on how well their child and team played and how great
it was to get together with other parents and friends at our wonderful
facility. The enjoyment and fellowship gained by attending games
at the main stadium far out weigh anyone’s perception of
the field’s surface. Even if field condition was to diminish
by a small percentage the likelihood of anyone noticing is zero.
Everyone wins when our goal is to find ways to increase stadium
play through compromise.
Artificial
Turf - $1.2M
Artificial
Turf - Moms Team - Pros and Cons Link 1
Artificial
Turf - Problems Link 2
Artificial
Turf - Problems Link 3
Artificial
Turf - "Environment and Human Health" Link 4
Artificial
Turf - Myths and Facts Link 5
There has been talk recently about replacing artificial
turf on Legion’s main field. Legions natural Tifsport grass
may be the sensible, healthy and environmentally safe choice –
and save Wilmington residents an estimated $1.2 million. If temps
on the artificial surface rise to above 120-168+ degrees, Legion
Stadium could become unbearably hot for typical summer events.
Visit the Pros and Cons website links above and draw your own
conclusion. The beauty of natural grass is second to none. For
interest accrued on $1.2 million – at $35,000/per year Oakland
Plantation Turf Farm could replace new grass on Legions field
every season. Let’s think twice before we commit to artificial
turf.
Home - Legion
Simplified - How They Voted - New
Stadium
The Legion Stadium Committee only allows 54 events per year on the
main field. NHHS by city