Unlike a turf field, a sod field can’t be used as often due to weather and field conditions. Most importantly, after 10 years, the cost of sod and turf are roughly equivalent. By installing turf now, we have a versatile field that our kids can use safely, year round with little maintenance.
Turf significantly increases field usage by allowing multiple sports, fundraisers and community events to take place without harming the field like sod would.
Turf creates an opportunity to host regional athletic championships, concerts and multi-cultural events.
Turf is safer! - Numerous studies have concluded that a turf field is more safe than conventional grass fields.
Artificial turf field at Tiger Stadium to be ready by August
LOVELAND, OHIO - “This will be the largest gift ever to the Loveland District,” said Loveland Athletic Booster President Jeff Williams. “And we only started one year ago in May of 2008.” Williams was in attendance at the Loveland Board of Education meeting on Tuesday where the Board voted unanimously to accept the donation of a Turf field installed at Tiger Stadium.
The entire $500,000 project will be fully financed by the Boosters, with no District funds being used. The Boosters say that in fact the turf will save the District money by reducing the high cost of maintaining a grass surface, and eliminate the need throughout the entire community of building more athletic playing and practice fields. The new playing surface can be used 24/7, 12 months of the year by athletic and other community events.
“The Loveland Athletic Boosters with the support of our entire community are now in a positive position to make our Tiger Turf dream a reality,” said Williams. He said that although the turf installation is going forward, their fund raising must continue to pay down a loan they secured to go ahead with the installation at a time the cost was reduced, and before the price escalated in the future.
“Loveland athletics and the entire Loveland community cannot thank the Booster club enough for their generosity,” said Jeff Zidron, the Athletic Director at Loveland High School. Zidron pointed out that that the new turf field surface will serve over 10,000 Loveland students over its expected lifespan. He said it was one of the “most important facility improvements in the school history.”
Immediately following their “Yes” vote, Board members Linda Pennington and Christine Olsen simultaneously said to the Boosters, “I am very thankful.”
Williams said that there is a “burning desire” by the Boosters to get the entire project paid off within the next 18 months. He said that even with the state of the current economy and “tough times” the Boosters have, “accomplished something that will last a long, long time.” He said that some local groups who have installed artificial turf have taken as long as eight years to pay for their projects. He stressed that the entire Loveland community helped. “It has been a community group effort.”
After the meeting, Music Booster President, Jan Bush said that the new turf surface at the stadium will benefit the Loveland High School Marching Band. She said one of the ways it will help is to attract marching bands to their annual Drums Along The Little Miami marching band contest. “When bands are choosing which competitions to enter, artificial turf is often a deciding factor.”
A group of dedicated community volunteers has stepped forward to coordinate an effort to raise non-school funds to provide turf to the Loveland High School stadium. This $500,00.00 Tiger Turf campaign will replace the playing field with State of the Art, third generation field turf installed for the Fall 2008 football and soccer season. In keeping with the tradition and excellence of the Loveland Schools, the Tiger Turf will provide a safe, functional and appropriate venue to support student and community activities. There are many opportunities for giving to this project:
Click the donate button above and you can donate online, securely. All donations using the button above will go to the Tiger Turf fund. We will also credit you for the proper recognition level if you mail in your donation or do it online. Thanks again for helping us make Loveland even better!
Gift Recognition Levels
Tiger Turf Friend Donation of $50 to 249 Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
Eye of Tiger Club Donation of $250 – 999
Permanent recognition as a TigerOrange contributor on the Donor Display.
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
Tiger Black Club
Donation of $1,000 – 4,999
Two Tiger Club Seats and One Season Parking Pass for one year.
Permanent recognition as a TigerBlack contributor on the Donor Display
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
Tiger Pride Club Donation of $5,000 – 9,999
Up to Five Tiger Club Seats and One Season Parking Pass for one year.
Permanent recognition as a TigerVICTOR contributor on the Donor Display.
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
Tiger Champion Club
Donation of $10,000 – 24,999 Loveland High School Stadium field level advertising:
Up to Five Tiger Club Seats and One Season Parking Pass for one year.
Permanent recognition as a TigerCHAMPION contributor on the Donor Display. Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
TIGER BOULEVARD CLUB Donation of $25,000 – 49,000 Name on Entrance Street to Loveland High School Stadium.
Five Tiger Club seats and One Season Parking Pass for one year.
Permanent recognition as a TigerBRONZE contributor on the Donor Display.
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
TIGER PRESS BOX CLUB Donation of $50,000 – 99,000 Name on the back of the Press Box
Two Tiger Club Seats and One Season Parking Pass for life.
Permanent recognition as a TigerPLATINUM contributor on the Donor Display.
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
TIGER FIELD ELITE Donation of $100,000 or more Naming rights to the Stadium for 10 years, name on the field
Two Tiger Club Seats and One Season Parking Pass for life.
Permanent recognition as a TigerGOLD contributor on the Donor Display.
Special recognition in all 2008/09 Loveland Athletic Programs and a Tiger Turf Donor Decal
(All donor levels can be made as an individual or a corporate sponsorship and are Tax Deductible)
The Loveland Schools Board of Education is supportive of the Athletic Booster's fundraising efforts for the addition of turf to our facilities, but cannot financially support the effort at this time. The District sees the value in this project and is fully supportive of the effort to make this improvement without expending funds from the taxpayers.
