District considers turf for Apple Bowl

The Wenatchee School District is considering the possibility of replacing the Apple Bowl’s natural grass with synthetic turf — a move that could come at a cost of $1.2 million, which would come directly from “surplus” of the bond, approved by voters last year, board president Walter Newman said.

This idea was first presented at a school board meeting on Dec. 9. The school board approved the measure unanimously. Newman said board members only approved the “concept.”

“One of the reasons we are considering this is simply the fact that part of the field will get torn up during the remodeling of the Apple Bowl,” Newman said. “Also, grass is difficult to maintain at a high standard. The costs are still shaping.”

The synthetic turf has an expected lifespan of 10 years with optimal conditions. Many agree that replacing the natural grass with synthetic turf will also bring in more revenue and allow more community use of the Apple Bowl.

“FieldTurf is usable most days of the year,” Newman said. “We limit the Apple Bowl uses to about 30 because that’s all the grass can bear without getting all torn up.”

A member of the Big Nine League, Moses Lake, turned to synthetic turf five years ago and its field has hosted State playoff games for several sports.

“If we are able to host State games, we can bring in people to the city and spend their money here instead of say Moses Lake,” WHS Athletic Director Jim Beeson said. “Everyone wins in this situation since taxpayers are also able to enjoy the field more.”

Synthetic field has become growingly popular in high school athletics around Washington state, especially in western Washington, where turf is more practical due to weather conditions. High school football quarterfinals require the synthetic turf, since the finals are hosted on the Tacoma Dome’s field.

“The biggest advantage of a synthetic field is that the Apple Bowl won’t be limited to high school varsity sports,” Beeson said. “Youth soccer and other adult sports could use the field and we wouldn’t have to worry about the field getting worn out.”

Beeson added that if the district replaces the turf, they should also consider creating an account where funds are set aside for future replacement of the synthetic field.

“[The synthetic field] will have to be replaced in 10 to 15 years,” Beeson said. “The district should prepare itself for that too if the field is replaced.”

For others, this change is not only about finances, but also about playing the game.

“As a football fan, I would say there is nothing like playing on good grass,” football coach Scott Devereaux said. “We are one of two schools left with good grass. West Valley’s field is an absolute mud bowl and Eastmont’s field gets beat up and muddy.”

Varsity soccer is the other main user of the Apple Bowl.

“Training during the early season would be nice on the synthetic turf,” soccer coach Dennis Tronson said. “But for games, natural grass is definitely better. Artificial surfaces change the dynamic of the game.”

In fact, it could be a safety hazard.

“Injuries increase, specifically knee injuries because players stop quicker on artificial turf and that is not good at all for their knees,” Tronson said.

The school board will have further discussion about the matter during the Feb. 10 meeting.

“I understand that artificial turf would allow more use, but many think synthetic turf doesn’t need too much maintenance, that’s a lie,” Tronson said. “If the turf is replaced, it needs to be the latest version of it for optimal playing conditions.”