Memorial Stadium Renovation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 9, 2017
STEPHENVILLE, Texas—The Tarleton State University Memorial Stadium renovation is officially under way as construction crews begin removing existing artificial turf, installed in 2004, and start laying new CoolPlay by FieldTurf.
CoolPlay, an exclusive system to FieldTurf, is designed to keep the playing surface up to 35-degrees cooler. According to FieldTurf, the CoolPlay system has a top dressing of Extruded Composite (EC) that allows the turf to deliver the same behavior and stability as any other surface while keeping the temperature on the field lower. Similar CoolPlay fields can be found at the University of Nebraska, the University of Arizona and Notre Dame, among many more.
All elements of Memorial Stadium’s turf playing surface will be replaced, and the field is expected to be ready for play as early as July 15.
The field will be a traditional green with white playing lines and white numerals every 10 yards with purple shading. The end zones will be purple with ‘TARLETON’ inscribed. The university logomark—the Block T over the state of Texas—will be displayed at midfield.
The next phase of the Memorial Stadium renovation and expansion project is scheduled to begin in September with the creation of a new grandstand, suites and press box on the west side of the facility.
About the Project
On Sept. 10, 2015, Tarleton President Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio and Athletic Director Lonn Reisman announced that The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents authorized $24 million to begin planning, designing and financing the expansion and renovation of Memorial Stadium. In addition to replacing track-and-field surfaces, the project will expand seating from 7,400 to more than 9,000, convert west side stands to seat home fans, enhance concession facilities, and improve the press box, suites, entrances and ticket booths. Huckabee and Heery Sports are providing architectural and engineering services.
About the 2017 Season
The renovation and expansion project of Memorial Stadium will not affect 2017 football games played by the Tarleton Texans or Stephenville Yellow Jackets. East side bleachers, which currently seat home fans, will remain intact throughout the renovation. West side bleachers, currently for visitors, will be removed beginning in September, and temporary seating will be brought in as needed for the 2017 season.
For more information about Memorial Stadium, the renovation project and ways to give, visit the new website dedicated to the project at www.TarletonFootballRenovation.com.
Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
#
Contact: Nathan Bural, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
254-968-1802
[email protected]
