By Deb Murphy
The Bishop Broncos’ football field has seen better days, much better days. Tufts of green are broken up by expanses of brown or no tufts at all. Part of the recovery program is rest, according to district Superintendent Barry Simpson.
Simpson reported on the sad state, bordering on unsafe, of John Schwab Field at Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting. “We knew we had to rest the field,” he said. That was part of the reason why the district partnered to build additional fields at City Park.
Complete resurfacing is cost prohibitive, Simpson reported. Plus the $1-$1.5 million project would have to be repeated every 12 to 15 years.
Simpson brought in landscapers to walk the field. The conclusion: the district needs to hire a water auditor to look at the irrigation system, from the sprinkler heads to the pumps to the coverage of the existing system. Step two: rebuild the irrigation system, then reseed and rebuild the field
The field has never looked this bad. I don’t think it is dramatic to say unsafe. Especially for our girls soccer program due to being in a larger risk population for ACL injury. It’s uneven, prone to ankle sprains. At least Trona has a level field. Our basketball gym looks… Read more »
To Eastside Bum
The field at Whitmore was more in the neighborhood of 2 million once all the bills were paid
Clint, I’m not sure if you have athletes playing on this field, but last year in girls soccer alone we had several injuries that could be attributed to the field. This field is uneven and has several holes and spots that could create injuries for players and referees. More unfortunately… Read more »
Soccermom, I’ve played on it, as well as both of my children. The world isn’t flat, strait and perfect.. Those that adapt, do well. Again, have them play on the Trona field ( yes, we have) they will beg for the Bishop grass. I’m not debating improving the field, but… Read more »
Really? I’m all for improving the field, but unsafe?? Barry, you need to go check out the Trona field. They play on dirt and rocks. Their really is no need to over dramatize this. Considering our current water issues, I’m all for fake grass if one can be found that… Read more »
Trona is tough! I am surprised some of their opponents don’t simply tell the Trona team to take the win and call it a day when they see that field they play on. I think by the time the bus passed the Westend plant I’d be ready to give Trona… Read more »
How about an artificial field similar to the one by the Mono County animal shelter at Mammoth? I think the price tag was close to 1/2 million and included a running track.
Price fake grass sometime. You have to do some very expensive preparation beneath before laying fake grass. I considered it for a rental unit I own. Sod is about $2.00 per square foot installed. Fake grass, good stuff that looks like the read thing, is about $22.00 per square foot.… Read more »