RJasper Football Booster President Richard Farr gave this presentation to the Greater Jasper School Board in regards to updating Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium over the next several years beginning in 2015.

1. JHS New Football Field/Stadium
Enhancements Proposal
Jasper School Board
8-25-14

2. Objective 1
Gain approval to conduct fundraising for a new artificial turf field
- Supported by community donations
- Work with Mr. Noblitt and Coach Ahrens to negotiate field
naming rights to the business(s) or individual(s), who will fund
the field
- Final approval of funding and naming rights approved by the
school board.

3. Objective 2
• Request the board to consider a 3-5 year plan to improve the football
stadium
• Current stadium is approaching 50 years old
• No formal entrances
• Inadequate, outdated restroom facilities
• ADA accommodations
• The stadium and field are not on par with other athletic facilities (Ruxer Field,
Pool, Basketball Fieldhouse, Tennis facilities)
• Hundreds of our students/faculty are involved in our football/band/track
programs, along with thousands of fans.

4. Overview of Proposed Site Plan

5. Southwest Entrance

6. Northwest Entrance

7. Field/Stadium Project Cost Estimates
• Field (Phase I - 2015)
• Initial cost of a artificial turf field - $7-800k (New grass field $300k+)
• Expected life of a artificial turf field - 10-12 years
• Current cost to maintain our grass field/year - $30k+ (est.)
• Cost to maintain a new artificial turf field/year - $5k
• Stadium/locker room/concessions/entry ways/pavilion (Future Phases 2015
and beyond) – $3-3.5 million

8. Who is using artificial turf?
• High schools - Harrison, Evansville North, Center Grove, Indianapolis schools,
Southridge, many others
• Colleges – IU, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Lucas Oil Field, other
Division 1 stats:
SURFACE # %
Artificial 82 65%
Grass 44 35%

9. Colleges w/Natural Grass
(Inclement Weather States)
Big East 42%
Big Ten 33%
Big 12 30%
Sun Belt 10%
C-USA 8%
MWC 0%
MAC 0%
• 65% of NFL teams have artificial game or practice fields.

10. Why Artificial Turf Field vs. Grass?
Player Safety
• Many studies indicate a reduction in injuries (particularly ankle and knee)
• Softer surface than natural grass field, potentially reducing concussions
• Inclement weather impact (ruts, dirt-grass, end-of-year condition of field)
Reduced maintenance costs
• Eliminates the use of chemicals (pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers)
• Eliminates fuel‐powered mowing, aerating, and re‐seeding, thereby lowering the use of
natural gas and other fossil fuels
• Save approx. 1 million gallons of water per year
Utilization revenue and playability can increase for football, band, track, and other special
events
Environmental
• Removes tires and rubber shoe soles from landfill sites
• Artificial field is 100% recyclable

11. Southridge Feedback
• Cost of field - $600k
• Maintenance cost – very little; groom clean the field once a month and
comb fibers and level (tire) pellets.
• Funding - through school funding.
• Utilization – improved utilization 300% the first year; band is using the field
as much as the football team; baseball and softball in the spring.
• Injuries – not really a reduction, but not increasing; players love the turf.

12. Evansville Harrison Feedback
• Cost of field - $800k – Sprint Turf
• Maintenance cost - 3 yrs old, very little cost.
• Funding – (private and EVSC foundation) track, suites, walkways, pressbox
named after contributors.
• Utilization – don’t charge for use of the stadium, but AD believes they
should.
• Injuries – too early to tell; traction very good even in a driving rainstorm.

13. Summary
• Benefits of artificial turf
• Reduced maintenance ($25k+/year)
• Improved safety
• Recyclable solution
• Replacement cost 30% less than initial install
• Community funded
• Improved, increased utilization of the field (football, band, soccer, track,
etc.)
• Stadium – will help lead fundraising, but requesting that the board take
responsibility for the stadium, locker room, and concessions.

14. References
Brett Hein, SB Nation (www.vanquishthefoe.com) “Is Natural Grass Dying in
College Football”, Jul 2, 2012
Mike Kaszuba, “School Sports Turf is Artificial, but Cost Concerns are Real”,
Oct 20, 2012, Star Tribune
Dr. David R. Schuler, “Synthetic Turf Feasibility Study”, Jan 6, 2011, High
School outside of Chicago
FieldTurf.com, “Center Grove Field Install, First Artificial Turf HS Field in
Indiana - 2003”