A citizens committee has been formed to raise funds to replace the natural grass field at Tanks Memorial Stadium with field turf. It is being called the Ironton Field Turf Project.

The committee, formed three weeks ago, already has garnered $250,000 in pledges but hopes to raise $600,000 to $700,000 for the project. Committee member Joe Isaac said the actual cost of the turf is between $550,000 and $600,000 but group members want to raise a little more in case they need it.

“From our perspective, since I became athletic director, one of the top priorities has been updating the stadium,” Ironton Athletic Director Mark LaFon said. “The school district is not in a position to do it and we had some people step forward, motivated people, to try and get the job done.”

One of the reasons for replacing natural grass with field turf is the cost of maintaining a natural grass field. Committee member Jerry Rowe estimated replacing grass with turf may save $10,000 in annual upkeep, both in terms of products used and man hours. Turf, he said, will not require mowing, fertilizing, watering and other care.

Another reason is safety. Although Rowe, LaFon and Isaac agreed Tanks field is absolutely safe as it is, field turf eliminates issues of uneven spots that must be filled in to prevent athletes from tripping and so forth.

A third is visibility. According to information from the committee, Ohio High School Athletic Association rules do not permit second-round playoff games to be played on the existing field.

The field turf has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years and would require about an 11-week installation. The committee hopes to have a plan in place to pay for replacing it when the need arises.

The committee is likely to work with the Cincinnati-based Motz Group. Unlike school-funded projects that must be put out for bid, the committee is not required to do so. The committee would choose a contractor, raise funds and then offer the whole project to the school board, which could accept or reject the donation. The offer will be brought before the board once all the funding has been raised.

LaFon said he realizes there are people who prefer the natural grass to field turf but, “for economy and useage there is no substitute for it (field turf),” he said.

“We have one of the best (football) programs in the state of Ohio. We should be playing on the best surface,” LaFon said.

There is a pledge form on www.tigertown.com or you may call committee treasurer Jodi Rowe-Collins at Ohio River Bank.

“We will take any donation,” Rowe said.