New turf at Jaguar Stadium costs $1M
The Madison County School District is in the process of wrapping up its summer construction projects ahead of the coming school year, including a $1 million running track at Madison Central.
The biggest project this year is the resurfacing of the track and putting down new turf at Jaguar Stadium.
That effort to replace the 12-year-old turf on the football field is ongoing, but the track resurfacing was finished Wednesday morning. The $997,800 total cost of the project is being paid 100 percent by the district.
Madison Central coach Anthony Hart said the new field surface is designed so that it will not get as hot as the old turf, which reached the end of its projected life span two years ago.
“The new turf is going to be based in the same color pattern with a few minor changes,” Hart said. “We know it’s supposed to be cooler, so we’re all looking forward to that. We’re excited to see it finished and start practicing in the stadium.”
According to a district spokesperson, similar surfaces have been put down at various facilities at the other three schools in the district — Velma Jackson, Ridgeland and Germantown.
“Our tracks and fields see year-round use from a variety of sports and activities, including football, band, soccer, track, cheer, dance, and lacrosse,” Director of Communications Gene Wright said. “The turf is also used by softball and baseball when their grass fields are wet. It is important to MCS that we keep facilities across the district up-to-date for the safety of our students and enjoyment of our school communities.”
Other ongoing summer projects include adding classrooms at Ann Smith Elementary and Mannsdale Upper Elementary and the addition of a bathroom facility and concession stand at Velma Jackson’s baseball park.
The district is also in the process of completing the second phase of a project to replace the HVAC unit at Madison Central High School after completing the first phase last summer. Price tags for those other projects were not available as of press time.