Har-Ber unveils artificial turf practice field
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
SPRINGDALE — The days of trudging across town to practice are over for Springdale Har-Ber’s football team.
Har-Ber officially dedicated its new artificial turf football field Tuesday morning, which means the Wildcats no longer have to go to Springdale High before school if they want to practice on a 100-yard, artificialturf field.
Har-Ber previously traveled for practices or used a grass field on campus, which had some uneven patches and was smaller than a regulation field.
“It’s exciting,” Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood said. “Eight of our games are on turf — the only two grass fields we play on are the Fort Smith schools — and there is a different speed on turf.
“ Plus, we got a full-sized football field on the end of that. Our practice field wasn’t quite the dimensions we needed.”
The f ield cost close to $ 500, 000, Athletic Director Annette Scogin said, with no taxpayer money used. Scogin said the money came from private donors and from a contract the school district has with Coca-Cola that allows the soft drink company to sell its drinks in machines and at school activities throughout the district.
The field will be used by the football and soccer teams and the band, which previously had practiced in a parking lot. It also will be used by gym classes at nearby Hellstern Middle School and by other groups.
Plans for an artificial turf field had been in place since Wood became coach in December 2005. Construction began in July.
“[Wood ] had a vision that was incredible, and through the last few years he set up a number of meetings [toward construction ],” Scogin said. “We’re happy about this. There’s not many in the state that are nicer than this.”
Har-Ber will continue to play its football games at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, which is located on the Springdale High campus. Scogin said she is hopeful the soccer team can play some of its games at Har-Ber in the spring.
School officials would like to see a football stadium built around the new field at Har-Ber, but that will require additional funds.
“We’re just waiting on a donor to step up,” Scogin said. “We’ve got a great community, and we continue to meet with people and see who wants to put their money into the future of Springdale.
“ Years ago, Gus Malzahn set the bar really high with Jarrell Williams, not only with our football program but with our facilities. Now you see Rogers and Heritage and Bentonville take it to the next level, so now it’s our turn to take it above them.
“ That’s our goal. We’ll want to do that with both stadiums.”
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