Jordan Barela/Times-Enterprise Synthetic turf installation was finished before Friday's Thomasville High School Bulldog scrimmage against the Pelham High School Hornets. 

THOMASVILLE — The turf is down. 

Synthetic turf installation for Veterans Memorial Stadium is finished. The installation was completed prior to the Thomasville High School Bulldogs’ scrimmage against the Pelham High School Hornets on Friday. 

“The field is finished, the field is finalized,” said Hank Townsend, city schools director of operations. 

Townsend noted the “dullness” of the finalized turf is due to the cooling material called “veofill” not settling into the field. 

“Once we get a good rain and that sinks down in the grass, it’ll brighten up a bit,” he said. 

Along with the turf installation, finalized stadium renovation also includes bathrooms, the handicap-accessible viewing area and ramp, a rebuilt sound system, and game clocks. 

Minor works remains at the stadium, Townsend noted. The work includes exhaust fans in the bathrooms, flashing near the ticket area to prevent water from damaging the paint underneath, and railing for the football player entry ramp onto the field. The remaining work is expected to be completed prior to the next football game. 

Construction cleanup prior to the scrimmage game was the biggest factor on Friday, Townsend said. 

The turf installation and other renovations were part of the first phase of the stadium project. 

“As an athletic program, we’re just very excited to bring (synthetic) turf to the Thomasville community and continue the tradition of excellence with Thomasville High School football,” said Chris Merritt, Thomasville High School athletic director. 

Said Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Laine Reichert, “It is exciting for our coaches, athletes, visitors and fans to have a top notch facility that will be low maintenance and provide a quality athletic experience for decades to come. We are grateful for SPLOST dollars that have allowed us to renovate the field and the stadium.” 

Merritt expressed his gratitude toward those who had a part in the project’s first phase, including Townsend and Reichert; the Thomasville City School Board and former superintendent Sabrina Boykins-Everett; Sports Turf, Astro Turf, and Thomasville City Schools maintenance department; and Thomasville High School supporters. 

The next upgrades of Veterans Memorial Stadium, which will be done in two smaller phases, is set to begin after the 2017 football season. 

  

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.