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With the track season about to come to a close, the first phase of the $1.7 million renovations of the athletic fields at Kennedale High School has begun. The KISD Board approved the construction projects at the regular meeting in December of 2012. ?Funding for the projects comes from the current budget under “maintenance construction” and from undesignated funds available from the district oil and gas leases which generate approximately $40,000 per month. ?{{more}}?
The renovation project starts with the football field at Wildcat Stadium. ?The current turf which is nearing the end of its projected life will be replaced, the crown in the field will be levelled which will meet specification for soccer play and drainage problems will be corrected. It is a relatively simple process involving rolling up the turf at the seams and moving it off the field. Underneath is a gravel mix over a sand base which will be releveled before the new turf is rolled out and seamed together. It will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. If it is done right, pouring five gallons of water in one spot should immediately absorb the water.?The next phase, the phase which promises the biggest bang for the buck according to school officials, is the ?turfing? of both the softball and baseball field. ?Both field currently use natural turf. ??The issues here according to coaches and staff are that the baseball field has dealt with dead soil, hardrock and turf problems since the field was opened 1999. Both fields shut down completely on rainy days especially the softball field where the water collects. The softball field has a severe drainage problem on the outer edge of the field that threatens the outfield. Coaches also beleive that the fields will generate significant revenue from outside just as the football field has done.
?These fields are schedule to be ready for both sports by next school year.??See December board video at?http://www.kennedale.net/Page/5409
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