Many Robinson students have been noticing the dump trucks and bulldozers located on the Jack Peters Football Field. On Monday, May 1, the football field was blocked off to prepare for the installation of the turf. The Knight Writers Staff spoke with Assistant Principal of Administration Kailyn Morman about how the football field will look for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

Q: What’s going on with the field at the moment?

A: “They started demolition and now they are actually tearing up about a foot of the ground so they can lay all of the underlayer of rock and what not and then it will be completely new turf and the track will be torn up to be replaced with a rubber track.”

Q: Will the field change directions?

A: “No.”

Q: When do you think all of it will be done?

A: “Hopefully by Aug. 1.”

Q: Why are we turning it into turf instead of getting new grass?

A: “The district is making that move. It’s a lot cheaper over time because then they don’t have to resod the field every single year so it’s in better condition by the time we get to spring sports.”

Q: What is the difference between turf and grass and its benefits?

A: “The main thing is if you think about our field, for flag football for instance., when we get to spring, the fall sports and winter sports have all torn up the field. So we are filling it in with sand or whatnot in order to keep our games here. [With the turf,] it’s the same condition for all of the sports.”

Q: Are the bleachers being redone?

A: “No.”

Q: Is there a design that is going on the field? If so, what is it?

A: “It would be the same knight head as what’s on the scoreboard, so the traditional knight head.”

Q: What are the athletes doing in the meantime?

A: “Flag Football is currently practicing at Chiaramonte [Elementary School] through the rest of their season. Spring football is actually practicing in the backfield between softball and baseball. We are working with the crew to get that all leveled out.”

The turf is set to be ready for the first home football game for the new school year, which is on Friday, Sept. 8 against Strawberry Crest High School.