Athletic facilities are set to receive major upgrades across Huntsville City Schools.
The Huntsville City Board of Education approved an owner-architect agreement to convert the grass fields to artificial turf at baseball and softball stadiums at all five high school campuses across the district.
The $12 million project is expected to save on long-term costs by cutting down on current expenses in maintaining the grass fields. Additionally, the new turf fields will promote equitable facilities at all of the high schools.
"Converting to turf fields would certainly bring up the quality of baseball and softball fields throughout the district," said Ryan Renaud, HCS Board President and District 4 Representative. "The new fields will also give student athletes a competitive advantage by helping them acclimate to playing on turf surfaces, which are used at many collegiate stadiums across the country."
Construction on the fields is expected to begin in May 2024 following the bid process. The fields will be installed in two phases based on an assessment of current fields.
Phase 1 construction will include two high schools between May 2024 to January 2025. Construction on the remaining three facilities will occur during Phase 2, which is expected to take place between Spring 2025 to January 2026.