By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — The green carpet is being rolled out.
On Tuesday, turf installation began at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium, where construction is ongoing behind the Trussville Civic Center. By the end of Thursday, turf is expected to be down to about the 50-yard line.
It will take about 16 days to complete the installation of the turf, according to Trussville City Schools Facilities Coordinator Barry Davis.
Turf installation begins at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium.
photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville Athletics
The turf was actually being delivered as first-year Hewitt-Trussville head football coach Josh Floyd spoke at a Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 21.
“It will take a while to install the turf, so be patient while that happens,” Floyd said at the luncheon. “We hope the stadium will be completed in time to play some of our games there this season.”
The targeted opening date is Friday, Oct. 3, when Hewitt-Trussville hosts Oak Mountain for homecoming. Remaining home games are against Hoover (Oct. 24) and Clay-Chalkville (Oct. 31).
The Trussville City Board of Education in June approved of spending money within its contingency for artificial turf for the stadium. The board didn’t approve of spending up to a certain amount, but a rough estimate is between $390,000 and $400,000, Davis said at the time.
Floyd said in June that turf is “very important” and “best” for the program. He said it can be used for practice and in the summer for seven-on-seven tournaments, it can help players become accustomed to it for away games, it looks better and more.
Clay-Chalkville now has artificial turf at Cougar Stadium. Pinson Valley would like artificial turf installed at Willie Adams Stadium in time for the 2015 football season.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
