Work begins on Taylorsville football field

Renovation of Taylorsville High’s football field has brought a renewed sense of optimism to a program that has averaged just one win over the last eight seasons.

Workers from Hughes General Contractors of North Salt Lake began working on the field April 23 – one day after the school hosted its annual track and field invitational. While the track will remain intact, workers have already dug two feet into the field and will fill it with the foundation for AstroTurf.

“It’s long overdue; everybody is happy about it,” Taylorsville athletic director Ken Rasmussen said of the renovation project. “Our campus is pretty small, and we don’t have any practice field space. Now, we’ll be able to practice on it and play on it. We’re looking forward to it.”

According to Rasmussen, Taylorsville is the latest in a line of Granite District high schools to have their football fields renovated. Cottonwood, Granger and Olympus have all had AstroTurf installed within the last few years, which is expected to reduce the cost of maintenance.

“Most new schools they’re building are putting in a field like this, so you don’t have as much real estate,” Rasmussen said. “There’s a big initial cost, but there are some savings, too. We won’t have to paint lines on the field, which cost $200 per (home) game. We’ll also save on water and upkeep.”

The cost of renovating the field is between $700,000 and $1 million, with schools choosing to renovate the track at the same time paying the higher end, Rasmussen said. Taylorsville’s soccer teams are also expected to use the field for games, including some at night, in addition to PE classes.

Since the school was built in 1981, the field has been re-sodded several times. However, the AstroTurf field has a life span of about 10-15 years, attesting to its durability.

“The school has never done a good job of maintaining the grass,” Rasmussen said. “It gets pretty beat up. Newer turfs are a lot safer than the old ones, which look like a rug. They say the second time you have to put one in, it’s like putting in a new carpet. It’s a lot safer for our kids.”

The renovation is to be completed by early August, in time for the start of the high school football season. Meanwhile, the football teams will have to find alternate locations to practice over the summer. Should the field not be finished on time, Rasmussen said the school might have to play games at other schools. Granger has offered Taylorsville use of its field in the event that happens, he said.

Once the football field is finished, construction will begin on a school for students with disabilities in Taylorsville’s back parking lot. As a result, the school’s faculty parking lot will be moved to the front of the school. The new school is to be completed by next fall.

Taylorsville’s football program is 8-71 over the last eight seasons, 3-38 in region play.