A synthetic field will provide an all-purpose, multi-use, all-weather, safe, durable and affordable new multi-purpose community complex. A synthetic turf field will dramatically impact our District and Community for the following reasons:
Safety/Playability
Consistent Surface – The usage of synthetic turf can enhance player safety and reduce the amount of injuries. The chance of player injury is reduced by 60% because of the consistency of a synthetic turf field. Concussions, shoulder separations, ankle and knee injuries are reduced substantially on synthetic turf as compared to natural grass. Modern synthetic turf today is more cushioning than natural grass. Synthetic turf is not as slippery as natural grass when wet; cleats do not lock in the turf; meaning ankle and knee injuries are not the issue they once were. A synthetic turf field will allow our practice grass fields to stay in better shape, making them safer.
Weather – Having a synthetic turf field enables an event to occur as scheduled under any weather conditions. The durability of synthetic turf means that all events scheduled on the synthetic turf field won’t be subject to cancellation due to the impact of the weather on the field. A synthetic turf field’s rapid drainage and durable soft carpet provide a safe, consistent surface, ready most any time, most any use for practices, games, band, cheerleading, physical education classes and other school and community events.
Costs
Maintenance – The District will pay less to maintain a synthetic turf than it would to maintain a natural grass field. The average annual cost to maintain synthetic turf is $5,000; while the average annual cost to maintain a natural grass field is $40,000, based on industry research. A synthetic turf field is constructed with recycled materials and does not require watering or grass chemicals.
Trend Toward Turf
Thomas Worthington is in the shrinking minority of big-school football teams that plays its home games on grass.
Local schools already using synthetic turf include Bexley, DeSales, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Dublin Scioto, Gahanna, Grandview, Grove City Christian, Hamilton Township, Hilliard Bradley, Reynoldsburg, St. Charles, Upper Arlington, and Wellington.
Schools looking to make the switch include Westerville Central (this year), Westerville North and Westerville South are expected to follow suit in the near future.
