FieldTurf Coming to SHS!

Click here to donate today!

Click here to download brochure/pledge form!

The Sterling Athletic Booster Club’s dream of installing a new artificial playing surface, know as FieldTurf, at Roscoe Eades Stadium has become reality.

“We have raised enough money through donations and pledges to move forward with construction this summer,” said Rick Renner ’78, Booster Club president. “While we are excited to move toward construction, we need to stress to everyone that our fundraising efforts must continue. We have come a long way in just over two months, but still have a way to go before we reach our goal.”

Renner says just over 80% of the $1,000,000+ price tag for the project has been donated and/or pledged to date. With this level of support already secured, the Athletic Booster Club, in cooperation with the Sterling Schools Foundation, has reached a financing agreement with a local bank to allow for construction to commence immediately following graduation ceremonies. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for May 29.

“The loan is for three years,” said Renner. “That gives us time to collect the three-year pledges that have been made, while continuing to solicit additional donations. We plan to make a big push during the upcoming football season.”

All of the money for the project is coming from private donations. The school district, strapped for cash because of the struggling economy and the state's financial mess, cannot afford to contribute any funds. The private funding effort will save the district approximately $300,000 needed to repair the field’s broken an inoperable drainage system, plus about $30,000 in annual maintenance costs.

“We want to thank all of the individuals, organizations, and businesses who have already supported this project,” said Renner. “We have been overwhelmed with the response. We need everyone to help us spread the word that the fundraising effort continues.”

Construction is scheduled to be complete in early to mid-August – in time for the SHS fall sports season. The first scheduled varsity event to be played on the new field will take place Tuesday, August 28, 2012, when the SHS boys’ soccer team plays host to Princeton. The SHS football team will play its first game on the new field Friday, August 31, 2012, against Chicago-Curie.

“I know I can't wait to see the field completed,” said Renner. “We feel it will be the crowning jewel on an already beautiful campus. Once completed, we think everyone will agree with us.”