Memorial makeover?
- Thread starter ATX_Husker
- Start date
That headline is wrong - they voted/selected HDR to assess the state of the stadium and put forward ideas. I believe they will then put out for bids actual work/changes. They're nowhere concepts at this point.
Yikes, I'm assuming the changeover in practice fields means Memorial Stadium is returning to grass too!!!
If I remember correctly, the last time the Huskers played on natural grass inside Memorial Stadium was 53 years ago!
Too bad it didn’t happen back in ‘95. The huskers would have been better-prepared to face the Gators in the championship game.
Didn't we just change turf last year? I doubt we make any changes to the field until this turf is out of date.
While that might traditionally be a wise economic decision... in today's money is no object game... bring in the backhoes.
I dont know. Did the practice fields need replaced? Was it cheaper in the long run to go back to grass than to replace the turf? From everything I have read FieldTurf is the closest thing there is to grass as far as feel and play. So maybe when the turf needs replaced it will be with grass. Or maybe not. Maybe it was just cheaper with the practice fields and they didnt think there would be a huge difference from grass to FieldTurf. Guess we will find out. I just dont think we will see it replace inside the stadium any time soon.
I understand what you are saying, but this isnt a few hundred thousand, if I remember right this was like $15 million. Not a real "drop in the bucket".
Turf management has gotten so much better in the past 2 decades - keeping a field in good playing shape is much more do-able even through the Fall months at northern locations. It does have some cost associated on the maintenance (and re-sodding) side but Field Turf ain't cheap especially if he has to be replaced every 5 years which seems to be about the pace most "well kept" stadiums are on.
The grass vs turf debate has gone on for some time. It has largely been focused on economics vs injury prevention. I honestly don't know enough to take a strong stance. Is grass that much safer? Will technology come up with the perfect solution? How do you deal with domes or areas with high levels of rainfall?
.I do feel turf, if used exclusively, adds to injury rates. And a dear friend who is dealing with ALS has brought up something that I know even less about. The doctors who are treating him feel that there is a correlation between the rubber products used in artificial turf and various diseases (eg ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimers). I don't know personally and neither does he. But the fact he spent some time on Buck Beltzer gives him pause.
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I think it has more to do with cutting down on injuries. We always start a new season with up to 1/2 dozen of key players; either injured with leg issues, hip, knee, or...whatever, because the turf monster reaches up and grabs them.
Grass has give, turf...not so much.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
That makes sense GIJoe, but if it's happening, why hasn't there been a news story about it? At a school like Nebraska, that's front page news in Lincoln and Omaha.
