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The sports fields at NS have subject of much discussion this year, namely the poor quality of said fields. These past years there has been a lack of water, which is evident in in the football, soccer and softball fields.
“We need a rain that lasts,” said custodian Mark Stewart.
Water seems to always be an issue. The valley has had a few rainstorms, but not enough to help the fields.
This year has just been a bad year for water and has not been the only year; water seems to always be an issue here, in Sanpete county.
Currently, the football, soccer, and the baseball infields are watered using culinary water, which means they will always have water. The practice football field and outfield of the the softball field, however, are on irrigation water. This means that the water runs out sooner. Fortunately for the football team, the football practice field is about ready to be switched over to culinary water.
Culinary water is is drinking water. The soccer field and softball infield is run on culinary water, along with the grass around the school.
With the water restrictions, it makes it hard to give the fields adequate water. The school is doing all that is in their power to get the fields as much water as possible. A possible solution is making the football field a turf field is a good possibility. If this was done, soccer would play on the football field.
A turf field would cost the school about $750,000. Turf only lasts for about 8-10 years, so putting turf in would be a continual cost. The cost per year would be around $75,000 depending on the quality of the turf. Turf gets hot, so in order to cool it down water is still needed.
The fields also have to have a certain softness to prevent injuries. In order to get the fields tested it would cost about $1,000. The fields have not yet been tested, but in a couple of years it could become a law that the fields have to have a certain softness to help prevent injuries. This test, called a G-max, must be passed or else no-one is allowed to play or even practice on it.
Money is another issue, as this year there was a budget cut for the fields. Usually the school has $120,000 to $150,000 to spend, but this year the budget was cut to 50,000. All that money goes to fertilizer, sprays and other things to help the fields.
“The fields will always be a discussion,” said Principle Nan Ault.
