Replacment of Kelly/Shorts Stadium turf underway on schedule
Construction to replace the synthetic turf in Kelly/Shorts Stadium began as scheduled Monday.
Head Football Coach John Bonamego tweeted the construction began at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
The Central Michigan University Athletics Department announced the project in January. A final design for the turf was announced on Feb. 11. Construction was scheduled to begin June 6 and end July 30.
The new turf includes alternating shades of dark and light green artificial grass, a "Flying C" and two "Fire Up Chips!" logos.
Facilities Management Associate Vice President Steven Lawrence said $600,000 was set aside in the differed maintenance budget for the project. The current projected costs are $460,000.
The synthetic turf currently carpeting Kelly/Shorts Stadium was installed in 2004 and cost $680,000.
Lawrence and former Senior Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations Brad Wachler said new turf is needed because the current, 12-year-old turf has tested poorly in its annual Gmax test. The test determines how much force the field absorbs and returns back to the athlete.
“(The test) doesn’t really look at aesthetics and playability, but it looks at the overall safety component of the turf itself in terms of hardness, low spots or high spots,” Wachler said.
According to a Dec. 30 USA Today article, citing a study called “The Role of Synthetic Turf in Concussion,” 15 percent of concussions occur after players’ heads hit the turf.
The turf at Kelly/Shorts Stadium could be played on another year or two, Wachler said, but recent Gmax test results were “close to falling below appropriate levels.”
Bonamego said he prefers being proactive, instead of waiting until the turf is dangerous to play on. The second-year head coach said Kelly/Shorts is "definitely due."
“It will be something alumni, students and everyone can be proud of," Bonamego said. "It will be something we all can be very proud of.”
AstroTurf, a synthetic turf manufacturer, is installing the turf after having the lowest bid out of four manufacturers. The same company put in the turf at the new CMU Lacrosse/Soccer Complex, although the turf will be slightly different for the football field.
"They did the lacrosse field last year, so we know they're very capable," Lawrence said. "They have a good product. We're very happy with it."
AstroTurf has installed turf at numerous football stadiums across the country, including Oklahoma State, Kansas State, the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee.
The first game on the new turf will be CMU's season-opener Thursday, Sept. 1 against Presbyterian.
