New turf will be installed this summer at Golden Rams Stadium in the Highlands School District, but leaders said the project is about more than football.
“It is about maximizing a shared space that creates Rams pride,” Athletic Director Katie Jo Stobert said. “It will continue to build a stronger connection between the school and the community.”
The $534,000 project follows a $1 million project in 2024 to revamp the track and resurface the tennis courts.
Neither of the projects impacted taxes.
The district’s property taxes remain 25.13 mills, a rate that has held steady since 2022-2023.
Taxes remained the same this year despite a dip in real estate revenues and an increase in district salaries, according to the school’s $54.5 million budget.
Work at the stadium is expected to start in June, shortly after graduation. Highlands’ commencement ceremonies are scheduled to be hosted at the stadium, if weather cooperates, on June 5.
Georgia-based FieldTurf USA was awarded the contract.
It is the same company that installed the infield surface on the high school’s baseball field last year and installed the current turf at the football stadium in 2014.
Tarkett Sports, which falls under the umbrella of Field Turf, was the company that did the work on the track and tennis courts. Safety was the main issue with the courts, which were riddled with cracks and sloped near the fence. The foundation had also sunk, causing tripping hazards.
At the football field, the turf is 12 years old. Stobert said it is time for a replacement because of ongoing maintenance issues.
On average, high school stadium turf lasts about eight to 12 years.
At Highlands, the stadium off California Avenue is used by football teams within the district and the community at-large. It is home to varsity and junior varsity high school teams, the middle school team and the Rams Youth Football Organization.
The field is also used for the school soccer teams, marching band, spring practices and gym classes.
As proposed, the project includes returfing the 91,000-square-foot field and replacing the center logo with a Ram head.
“The end zones will be colored, with Highlands in one end and Rams in the other,” Stobert said. “The soccer lines will be stitched in and will no longer need to be painted on.”
