Tim Troglen
Reporter
Officials hope that even before first ball is caught, tackle made or touchdown scored, the new turf inside of Nordonia’s William Boliantz Stadium will score points among community members and bring a championship quality to the field.
According to the district, the $375,000 project, which is scheduled to be completed before the new football season begins, will benefit students in a variety of sports, including track, field, band, football and Special Olympians.
Several athletes who will utilize the field this summer and fall have expressed an excitement at playing on the new field.
Matthew Pines, 12, is an eighth grader who played safety and wide receiver last year. Matthew’s middle school team practices on the high school field during summer sessions.
Matthew believed the field, which was 10 years old, had outlived its use. The new turf will last an additional decade, according to the district.
“It is better because the old turf was falling apart,” Matthew said. “The new turf will be safer and not as hot.”
Matthew’s mom, Sabrina, said she believes the new field will be safer for players and is glad it was replaced for other reasons.
“ I am glad he will not be bringing so much of the turf home after summer practices,” Sabrina said. “I think the field is used for enough events and it was past the life it was meant for.”
Stacey Kopec has three sons, an eight grader, 13, a sixth grader, 11 and a fourth grader, 9, who will either practice, or play, on the field sometime this season.
“We are excited about the new turf.
– our turf was definitely on it’s last leg,” she said. “My boys all have the opportunity to practice
and sometimes play on the field and those opportunities are always their favorite practices/games of each season.”
The project was funded by public and private donations as well as corporate sponsorships.
The Nordonia High School Athletic Department donated $60,000. The district business department The Nordonia High School Athletic Department donated $60,000. The district business department donated $120,000.
Kimpton Printing is creating and installing the field’s logo.
Donors will be honored with a lighted display inside the entrance to the stadium, according to Rob Eckenrode, Nordonia High School athletic director.
“Nordonia’s Boliantz Stadium is used by our student athletes, youth athletic programs, and community members year round,” Eckenrode wrote in a district fundraising memo. “It is a source of great pride in our community.”
