Duraspine Pro Gives Whole New Look to Cullman High School

Trent Moore

Cullman Times

The wear and tear of football season should no longer be a problem at the Cullman High School football field, as the new turf should remain lush and green year-round — no mowing or watering required.

Construction crews are currently installing new Field Turf Duraspine Pro artificial turf on the field at Oliver Woodard Stadium. The work is part of an approximately $2 million project, handled by Civicon Contractors, that started earlier this year and is scheduled for completion by early September — just in time for football season.

A new eight-lane rubberized track, a re-design of the stadium’s inadequate drainage system, improvements to the visitor’s side bleachers, and new stadium lighting are also included in the plans.

With so many teams and events jockeying for field use, Cullman High School football coach Mark Britton said the new turf should keep the stadium busier than ever.

“From seventh and eighth grade, to high school teams, it’s just going to be really nice to have that available,” he said. “There are a lot of positive changes on the way.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, workers had laid the brunt of the artificial turf, while the next week will be spent finishing the field installation process.

“Things are coming along great, and on schedule,” facilities coordinator Anita Overturf said. “They’re about to start erecting the visitor’s side seating, which should take about two weeks to complete.”

A recent rain storm gave officials a chance to view the new and improved drainage system in action, as a flawed water flow design was a major problem with the old field.

“Everything worked well, and there wasn’t a puddle left on it, so everyone is really excited,” Britton said.

The new track will take a bit longer to finish, Overturf said, due to intricacies in the installation process.

“The asphalt has to go through a curing process before they can place the rubber surface,” she said. “By the end of September, everything should be finished.”

Once the track is done, school officials are already making a play to host some future state and regional track events.

“Having this new track will open us up for that, and we’re working to try and make that happen with the Alabama High School Athletic Association,” Cullman High School Principal Sheila Phillips said. “Our capability to do this is long overdue.”

Approximately half of the renovations will be paid for with money from the system’s capital improvement fund, while the system has raised approximately $600,000 from individual and corporate donors to help fund the project, and the City of Cullman also provided some in-kind services to keep costs down.

There is a chance construction could ramp back up next year, as the school board is considering a second phase to the project that would upgrade the entrance, concession stand, press box and bathroom facilities.