Meghan “TW” Zimbler
Grass and Turf Expert
After a harsh winter of snow and rain, Springfield College officials have made the decision to get rid of the popular, iconic green grass, and switch to turf, similar to the material on Stagg Field.
With the maintenance being a struggle during the nasty New England weather, the college thought this change was necessary due to the amount of stress being put on the grounds crew.
“Switching to turf will make it a lot easier for the school as a whole to transition to different seasons, without having to do as much work,” said Robert McMaster, superintendent of the grounds crew.
This past winter really hit the ground hard, with snow accumulating up to eight inches, and at some times more. The only logical way for the grass to ever become green again is to, well, replace it.
Although a huge change to the college, having turf does have its advantages, one being that it can withstand Mother Nature’s nasty winter storms much better, making the process of landscaping a lot easier for the staff at Springfield College.
“The process of ‘spring cleaning’ will be so much easier throughout the seasons. Just turn on the heater, melt all of the snow, and it will be gone by spring,” said groundskeeper Peter Florian.
The artificial grass, found on sports fields, will replace every surface area of real grass, including Naismith Green and Reed Green. The turf will be heated, making the process of melting the snow a lot easier. With that, the turf will cost more than $1 million to assemble and due to this, the school will be making a lot of budget cuts.
“This is a necessary change,” said President Mary-Beth Cooper, who signed off for the turf in the beginning of March. “Of course the grass looks beautiful in the spring, but it will look just as good after the new turf comes in.”
With this being Cooper’s first spring on campus, she has never witnessed what the institution has looked like with the green grass, but feels this will give the college the look it needs. By her request, the school will still maintain real flowers, but that is subject to change in later years.
The turf will be installed throughout the summer of 2014, and ready to be shown off by the fall semester.
The tradition of not walking on the grass will still stay in effect, because here at Springfield College, we do not cut corners.
“I am ready for the turf, more accessibility to play sports and still be able to lie out in the spring,” said junior Nick Lovett. “Hopefully I do not fall, because I heard turf burn is awful.”
Since Springfield College needs to have the best of the best, director of Campus Recreation, David Hall, has ordered top quality turf to lay out on every square inch of the campus.
“Being that Irv Schmid Sports Complex was just renovated, the turf we have in mind is attainable and due to our longstanding relationship with Best Turf Inc., they are really giving us a good deal,” said Hall.
As Springfield College prepares for this huge change, it is a relief to all that the winter clean-up will be such a breeze.
“I am just glad there will be no more grass lifted from the plows, and green grass all year long,” McMaster said.
Disclaimer: All facts, interviews, details and sources are completely false. Actually, this entire story is made up. Happy April Fools’ Day!