Hanson field new turf?

[Western_101]

Hanson Field was scheduled to receive new turf installed the Summer of 2024. The bid number I recall was 488,445.00. I don't remember what company or type of turf.

So...no new turf materialized last year. Was the turf instalation postponed to Summer 2025 waiting for a cash infusement from the two FBS paydays?

For reference the following schools recieved new turf recently:

NIU 2024
EIU 2024
ILL 2022
SIU 2019
ISU 2018

WESTERN'S current turf is 14 years old and is looking it's age. I believe the average/expected lifespan of an artificial turf football playing surface is 10 years give or take. 

Anybody have any updates or knowledge about what's happening with the Hanson Field playing surface?



 

[ST_Lawson]

Hanson Field was scheduled to receive new turf installed the Summer of 2024. The bid number I recall was 488,445.00. I don't remember what company or type of turf.

So...no new turf materialized last year. Was the turf instalation postponed to Summer 2025 waiting for a cash infusement from the two FBS paydays?

For reference the following schools recieved new turf recently:

NIU 2024
EIU 2024
ILL 2022
SIU 2019
ISU 2018

WESTERN'S current turf is 14 years old and is looking it's age. I believe the average/expected lifespan of an artificial turf football playing surface is 10 years give or take. 

Anybody have any updates or knowledge about what's happening with the Hanson Field playing surface?



 

I have heard that it's highly unlikely we will be getting new turf this spring/summer. I don't really know anything else.


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[Western_101]

Ok, well that tempers my expectations at least. Times are tough money is tight.

The current field certainly is usable. It wont look or feel like a new field. However, our 'Necks get to practice and play on it regularly so it will be the norm. I guess it affects visiting teams more adversely (and maybe recruiting). I mean we've all seen worse. ISU's field before renovations was just a step up from playing on a parking lot as far as the look and I'm guessing the feel underfoot and hitting the ground. 

[NewNeck]

Ok, well that tempers my expectations at least. Times are tough money is tight.

The current field certainly is usable. It wont look or feel like a new field. However, our 'Necks get to practice and play on it regularly so it will be the norm. I guess it affects visiting teams more adversely (and maybe recruiting). I mean we've all seen worse. ISU's field before renovations was just a step up from playing on a parking lot as far as the look and I'm guessing the feel underfoot and hitting the ground. 

 

I really hope this is not the case.  How can we expect high level players to come and compete on that old of a playing surface?  Old branding and a painted over conference logo?  There's no way they keep this coach and staff without some investment.  4 FBS pay games for '24 and '25 should do the trick.  I wonder if there's a safety testing method for turf?  I would think it would not be up to D1 standards.  This football program has some momentum WIU can't kill it...can they?
 

[vatusay]

Ok, well that tempers my expectations at least. Times are tough money is tight.

The current field certainly is usable. It wont look or feel like a new field. However, our 'Necks get to practice and play on it regularly so it will be the norm. I guess it affects visiting teams more adversely (and maybe recruiting). I mean we've all seen worse. ISU's field before renovations was just a step up from playing on a parking lot as far as the look and I'm guessing the feel underfoot and hitting the ground. 


 

I really hope this is not the case.  How can we expect high level players to come and compete on that old of a playing surface?  Old branding and a painted over conference logo?  There's no way they keep this coach and staff without some investment.  4 FBS pay games for '24 and '25 should do the trick.  I wonder if there's a safety testing method for turf?  I would think it would not be up to D1 standards.  This football program has some momentum WIU can't kill it...can they?
 

 

Yes, yes they can, and more than likely will. 

Had opportunity for new turf in the recent past for a discount. It was turned down. 

[Western_101]

Ok, well that tempers my expectations at least. Times are tough money is tight.

The current field certainly is usable. It wont look or feel like a new field. However, our 'Necks get to practice and play on it regularly so it will be the norm. I guess it affects visiting teams more adversely (and maybe recruiting). I mean we've all seen worse. ISU's field before renovations was just a step up from playing on a parking lot as far as the look and I'm guessing the feel underfoot and hitting the ground. 



 

I really hope this is not the case.  How can we expect high level players to come and compete on that old of a playing surface?  Old branding and a painted over conference logo?  There's no way they keep this coach and staff without some investment.  4 FBS pay games for '24 and '25 should do the trick.  I wonder if there's a safety testing method for turf?  I would think it would not be up to D1 standards.  This football program has some momentum WIU can't kill it...can they?
 


 

Yes, yes they can, and more than likely will. 

Had opportunity for new turf in the recent past for a discount. It was turned down. 

 

Yeah, The company contracted to do it was able to get another job and since the 2024 schedule didn't have us with a home game till week 5 a discount and push back to start the job in August instead of June was floated.