On Friday, September 3, during the season opener of the Aztecs against rivals Mount Puente, Corona del Sol High made its debut on the new artificial playing field in its stadium. – Photos by Lee Shappell for wranglernews.com

By Andrew Lwowski for wranglernews.com

The high schools in Tempe United High School District are upgrading their traditional grassland to coconut-infused artificial turf. This is a million-dollar project designed to reduce maintenance while providing a softer, greatly improved playing field.

Corona del Sol is the latest school to undergo a transition, and the renovation project is about to take place-just in time for the Aztecs' home opener against rival Mountain Pointe on Friday, September 3rd.

Man-made competition venues, such as the new venue at Corona del Sol High, have lower maintenance costs in the school district, are more suitable for heavy-duty multi-purpose use, and do not require pesticides. – Photos by Lee Shappell for wranglernews.com

Corona’s vice-principal and sports director Roxanne Perrin said that the redevelopment of the venue started in May and will be completed on August 31. This will give the team time (if only a short time) to practice on the new venue and adapt to the previous session. a match.

During the entire four-month process, staff worked in shifts, sometimes working 12 to 14 hours a day to complete the project on time.

"I've been here all summer, and when I went to inspect the venue, it looked like they were just moving the mound back and forth," Palin said. "But they had to take the soil out, put it in pipes, and use it for electricity, irrigation and drainage.

"They masked this, and then the process of leveling the site and compacting the site. Then they added more material because it had to have a certain height. Then they stringed it up to make sure it was level because the site was in the middle Crowned, so it will drain slightly.

A new wireless scoreboard, which still did not appear on Monday afternoon, is expected to be installed outside the southern end of the opener on Friday. – Photos by Lee Shappell for wranglernews.com

"They put a piece of black cloth first, then the cushion, and then the real turf."

The surface is covered with filaments of coconut and cork. Perrin explained that these elements help reduce the site temperature and naturally absorb shock and moisture.

The field must still be watered to keep it cool, but pesticides, fertilizers or irrigation are no longer needed.

In addition, a new wireless scoreboard will be installed behind the south column, although it has not been installed as of Monday afternoon.

Perrin pointed out that in 2020, Desert Vista and McClintock High School's fields have been rebuilt.

Since June, the staff have been working hard to complete the new venue in time for the Corona opener on Friday. Photo by Andrew Lwowski for wranglernews.com

"I was in the DV field last year," Palin said. "It's beautiful. It's soft, it has a lot of traction, and a lot of effort for the players. It's not like running on a super hard surface."

Work expenses are paid through TUHSD budget funds.

Perrin said that although football opens this week, football is not the only beneficiary of the project.

"The thing about the turf field is that it will benefit our entire campus," she said. "This is football, but it is also football for boys and girls. It is also good for track and field... They will do various warm-ups and static exercises in the middle, so they will also benefit."

Corona's band plan will also be able to practice on the new lawn.

Corona del Sol is the latest school in the Tempe United High School District to install an artificial playing field in its stadium. McClintock, Tempe and Desert Vista also have them. Marcos de Niza and Mountain Pointe will receive them in the next few years. – Photo by Andrew Lwowski for wranglernews.com

The opening of the new venue provides ample space for practice without damaging the playing field.

"In terms of practice, we have a complete turf field. Therefore, the varsity team can practice on the grass, while the joint venture and the freshmen (players) can practice on the remaining two fields at the same time," Palin said.

This field will also enable sports to enter winter and spring and enjoy a better game experience. Usually for traditional turf, the center of the field will become dirty due to constant beatings by football players, and when the football and track season arrives, it has been completely worn out, and most of it is mud.

Jeff Lambert, the senior wide receiver linebacker of the Aztec football team, said he and his teammates are very excited.

"This is definitely a major upgrade for us because we participated in the competition last year and half of our venue is mud. Therefore, it will save a lot of rocks and unnecessary scratches entering the venue," Lambert said .

Before installing the layer below the artificial playing field, the old natural grass surface must be removed and excavation work must be carried out. – Photo by Andrew Lwowski for wranglernews.com

Lambert, like many NFL-level football players, said he likes the new generation of tolerant artificial turf.

"It feels like you can stretch your feet deeper, like you have more traction," he said.

The official display of the newly upgraded venue will be held on September 3, when Corona will host its opponent Mountain Pointe in the football season opener.

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