I know with all the financial woes that our school systems in Ohio are going through, its a reach. But it is becoming a more common practice to switch to field turf, especially in situations like Northwest where every year our field becomes an issue as the season wears on.

Lots of schools should...but it's not cheap and it's not the right economic time.

Private fundraising is about the only way to get projects like this off the ground.

First step would be an exploratory committee, get an idea of cost and go from there.

Wasn't Northwest on the verge of disbanding the entire school district just a few years ago? Sounds like there are bigger fish to fry in Canal Fulton.


My opinion is, yes it would be nice.

If funding was available? Heck yes. But as Ringz pointed out, they were in serious financial trouble not that long ago, so I doubt you find an extra $700,000 laying around to do it.

Maybe we should all play the lottery? LOL.......

THE4RINGZ;945857 wrote:Wasn't Northwest on the verge of disbanding the entire school district just a few years ago? Sounds like there are bigger fish to fry in Canal Fulton.


My opinion is, yes it would be nice.

At least athletics were going to get axed. They pulled out of the NBC because they fully expected to cut all sports, then they finally passed a levy (but not before the NBC gave their spot to Salem, so now they're independent).

GoChiefs;945927 wrote:they were in serious financial trouble not that long ago, so I doubt you find an extra $700,000 laying around to do it.

And yet somehow Mansfield Senior did exactly this. A district without 2 nickels to rub together.....

I disagree 100% with what everyone is saying. YES, the school was having financial troubles due to unpassed levies. However, this is due to a large population of older town people, people without kids in the system, and people that live in the school district but have kids that go to other schools.

For sure the money would have to be raised privately, but that is how almost all schools do it anymore. I don't think it would be terribly hard, considering the people that would be putting the money and effort into it would be the ones who actually voted YES for the levy. The community itself is NOT in shambles and having TERRIBLE financial troubles, only the school.

So to answer the question of the thread...yes...NW should raise the money to put in turf. It won't be easy but I know we could do it if we set our minds to it!

Well, get on it Indiannation. If you dont think it will be too tough, make it happen. Would love to see it, but not likely. Its takin years to pay off bleachers and track, you can add both those up and still wont cost what field turf would. Alot of things you see at the stadium were donated, the new ticket booths and bleacher wrap were made possible by a guy gettin donations and trading labor. scoreboard was donated. when the annex was added on to in the 90's, even that was made possible by many donations. School wont do nothin to make it better, but they sure like using the football revenue to pay for bussing

Absolutely I think every school should have it.....it just makes sense to have turf.


What I find odd is that a lot of the schools that are tradition rich in football don't have turf.....sure Massillon, Mckinley, Steuby, All the big private schools have it but I am talking about the MAC schools, Orrville, Versailles, and the other schools that are in the playoffs every single year.

I don't think it will easy...but I know it is doable. I am not saying it can be done in the next year or so, but rather over the course of maybe 5 years or a little more. Depending on how a loan would work or if it would have to be paid up front. Between private donations and fundraising I know it is possible. Enough people just have to get behind it.

NWIndianNation01;946278 wrote:I disagree 100% with what everyone is saying.

Isn't everyone else saying yes it would be nice to have, but it won't happen without private donations too?

Northwest is lucky to even have a team this year, and you're worried about turf??!! My oh my. You sound like Dover, they want to to build a new high school and want votes from people who just don't have the money. Be thankful NW still has a team. Gawd....

Northwest passed the levey ,they have over A MILLION IN THE BANK NOW.........i would like to see turf down by next season, we will be putting a committee together soon. nwindiatian your invited when we start..and anyone else.. lets not talk lets do it.. talk is cheap.. be a mover and shaker not a talker. get some donations

tuskytuffguy;946459 wrote:Northwest is lucky to even have a team this year, and you're worried about turf??!! My oh my. You sound like Dover, they want to to build a new high school and want votes from people who just don't have the money. Be thankful NW still has a team. Gawd....

You didn't read my post at all did you? lol

Personally, I think it would be sending a troubling message to the community. "Thank you for your money, we are going to put in turf on the football field." As someone who has to endure the field on Friday nights, I think it would be a great thing. I know it would keep my boots dry and clean. It would also allow for more activities to be held there without the risk of injury or destruction of the field. Correct me if I am wrong, but the lower grades no longer play up there correct? That was one of the better memoried I have of playing. Being able to get on the same field as the big boys was a real rush. Also, with our new bleachers on each side, would this allow us to host some later playoff rounds to possibly generate some revinue?

However, I think if any school funds are used it may trigger a backlash from the community members that are not involved in Friday night activities. I would agree that the only way something like this could be accomplished would be through private funds. What about naming rights to the field (CEI Field at Smilek Stadium)? How much is the naming worth to a company? I know we have some large ones in town, but who knows if the interest would be there. (Lindsay, Avalon to name two) Just a thought.