New Braunfels' Canyon High Paints Football Field Red! (school, tax)

[Bo]

Originally Posted by shoe01

I would think that the reasons Boise State and E. Washington put in the strange turf were to draw TV ratings and publicity. Why does Canyon need that, since that isn't an issue for public high schools?

My guess is that it's an attempt to differentiate Comal ISD athletic facilities from those of the other schools in its UIL district, which will always be in Austin or San Antonio. Instead of being just the field that's so far away from Austin/San Antonio, it's the wacky, multi-colored field that fans can talk about on the long ride from Austin/San Antonio.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by sa dave

Totally agree. I'm all for taxes that help put educated, hard working kids, into positions to be successful in life. I'm not into taxes that pay for red fields, taj mahal schools, or anything which appears frivalous. Its called public stewardship. They should teach it and employ it.

Like you, I am highly supportive of education, but I also want my tax monies spent wisely!

I was on the 2007 NISD School Bond Committee that got $692M worth of projects approved, and there were a few proposals that we threw out as they appeared frivolous to us. We were still concerned over the amount that remained (the largest bond prior to it was $495M), but we scrubbed the list as hard as we could before we determined that everything that was left was justified. Luckily the bond passed the vote, but we were worried. Still, I have to give NISD credit, they researched every proposal to excruciating detail and opened their books to us, so there was little chance of them sneaking anything by!

Still, in military planning we are taught to have a few “throw-aways” so the commander or decision makers can feel they’ve reduced the request by some degree. Yes, it’s deceptive but that’s how the business works. Still, it always makes me wonder what happens when the “throw-aways” don’t get thrown away!?! I suspect you end up with a red football field…

Cheers! M2

[TexasRedneck]

I'm trying to find out, but it MAY be that the turf color doesn't cost any more, since it all has to be dyed.....

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

I'm trying to find out, but it MAY be that the turf color doesn't cost any more, since it all has to be dyed.....

One would think that the traditional green would be less expensive since it's the usual color...

[RGJ]

Frankly, the cost isn't necessarily the issue to me. Football fields with fake turf should resemble real turf. And I guess I'm from a different era. IMO, all outdoor athletic fields in this area should be of real grass and not fake turf.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

I'm trying to find out, but it MAY be that the turf color doesn't cost any more, since it all has to be dyed.....

$800,000
Red-carpet treatment at Canyon High - San Antonio Express-News

And no, they don't have to have turf or grass. There's millions of people that play on 1/2 grass, 1/2 dirt fields and they are still alive.

[TexasRedneck]

I know what they paid for it - my question is whether they paid a premium for the different color. All artificial turfs are dyed, so I don't know if the off color was a premium cost.

It's been a while, but IIRC, one of the selling features of the turf is the lower maintenance/upkeep cost vs natural grass fields. For the record, I would still favor natural over artificial.

[Dopo]

Everyday I hear somebody talking about "fiscal conservative"
and I haven't heard or read 1 thing about this HS doing that, which is clearly "wasteful spending" just to look different.

I see what you are saying "TexasRedneck"...
but still, is this the time to install new turf on a football field when budgets are being cut?

[TexasRedneck]

Originally Posted by Dopo

but still, is this the time to install new turf on a football field when budgets are being cut?

IF the old stuff is in bad shape, yes - because aged artificial turf can contribute to injuries - another reason I prefer natural turf.

As to the color....I think it's stupid, as well - but we didn't start off asking about the color being "good".

[blizzrd]

it doesn't bother me...i kinda like it.