September 21, 2007

"We've got a home"
Lighthouse Christian plays true home opener at new football field
by Bradley Guire, Times-News

It's as evergreen a solution as the southern Idaho sports microcosm has ever seen. Today, the Lighthouse Christian Lions debut their new artificial-turf football field, located on the south portion of the old Anderson Lumber property which is the fellowship's future home.

For the Lions, getting the Lighthouse Athletic Complex means putting down roots in Twin Falls -- even if the grass is fake.

"We've got a home," athletic director and football coach Nick Karavedas said.

And that home will be dedicated today at 4 p.m., just in time for the homecoming game with Sho-Ban.

While the fellowship and school have had semi-permanent location, for years the Lions have been the nomadic tribe of District IV sports, moving from park to park, school to school to play "home" games. The football team has been confined to Twin Falls High's Bruin Stadium and the junior high school fields at Robert Stuart and O'Leary. Now they'll play on the same type of turf that the University of South Carolina uses.

"We beg, barrow, steal and rent anything we can for our athletic program. Now, this is ours. The people know it, the students know it, the players know it," superintendent Kevin Newbry said. "It's a whole different mindset."

Sowing the seeds ... sort of

Forgoing the tradition of blades of Kentucky bluegrass, fertilizer and a watering schedule, Lighthouse Christian turned to a low-fuss alternative. Professional Turf Solutions, the company contracted to perform the work, estimates that artificial turf saves organizations $20,000 per year in maintenance.

Professional Turf Solutions installed the first artificial playing surface for a high school at Eagle in 2006. It will do the same for Meridian's new Rocky Mountain High School. Demolition of Anderson Lumber's asphalt began in August, and because the ground was so compacted and level, all Lighthouse Christian needed was a little drainage system and the turf to complete the transformation.

The turf comes like carpet, usually in rolls 10 yards wide. Any specialty logos, such as the lion's head at the 50-yard line, are separate pieces. When asked if the fellowship had considered blue turf like Bronco Stadium in Boise, Karavedas joked, "We checked into it, but the cost was astronomical. We did get the end zones in navy with the white. When you first look at it, you say, 'Is that paint? Is it a stencil?' No, it's actually navy threads. It's all glued and sewn together."

Once the pieces of turf are glued and sewn together, particles of cryogenically frozen rubber are worked into the "grass" fibers to provide more padding, and the turf should be raked once per week.

The scoreboard is ready to go as is seating at the complex. Lighthouse Christian will be able to meet the minimum seating requirements to host Class 1A postseason games should they make the Division I playoffs. A permanent solution for a public announce system and lights for night games are in the works as well.

Giving back

Although the end zones read "Lighthouse Lions," football is just a portion of what the complex will host.

"On the church side, we'll have children's ministries, VBS (Vacation Bible School), barbecues, picnics. For the school, we'll have recess and P.E.," Newbry said. "Anytime we go outdoors, we'll be on that baby."

The fellowship was fortunate to make this project happen through generous donations of not only money, but time, labor and other resources. From offers to run machinery to Donnelley's Sports donating field-goal posts and benches, Lighthouse Christian intends to open the estimated $500,000 complex to anyone who asks.

"We're open to talk and see what could happen for both sides, because we need to give back," Karavedas said. "We've been on every park in the city at one point or another. We'll definitely talk to whomever."

Karavedas and Newbry figured that cost to complete the project was nine-to-one, with the nine in the form of various donations.

"That's why I feel so strongly about giving back to those folks," Karavedas said. "Whether it's putting up their banner or hosting the (Magic Valley Junior Football) championship here -- really paying back that debt, so to speak."

It could be youth soccer, youth football, high school football playoff games, church kickball, community barbecues or a practice field for the 8-man Shrine South football team. Lighthouse Athletic Complex is for everyone.


Copyright © 2007 Times-News.
Original article printed in the Friday, September 21, 2007 issue of Times-News (click here to view a copy of the original article as found on the Times-News MagicValley.com website).
 
 

Testimonials

"I can't say enough about Dale and his crew and their impeccable attention to detail. From the day he arrived at Grants Pass High School to talk to our board, to the final walkthrough, it was a delight to work with the PTS family. The workmanship was excellent -- early morning, evenings, rain and hail didn't curtail their progress. Our field is absolutely beautiful and is being used every day, regardless of the weather, by our students and athletes. We look forward to having PTS install our new girls' softball field!"

   Tom Blanchard, 11-Year NFL Veteran
   Athletic Director & Football Coach
   Grants Pass High School, Oregon

"We used Professional Turf Solutions at the University of South Carolina in September 2004 to install a 60 yd. indoor multi-use practice field. Their crew, led by Dale Collett, did an exceptional job. They were very organized and worked from sun up to sun down. The crew tore out and disposed of old turf, then cleaned up the area before installing new turf. The new turf, including football yard lines, hash marks and one end zone area, was installed in a very professional manner. The company left us extra supplies and phone numbers to call with any problems. I am happy to say our turf has had no problems. This turf also needs only a little maintenance (frequency depends on use). I highly recommend using Professional Turf Solutions for all your installation needs."

   Kelly E. Lewis
   Field House Manager
   University of South Carolina

"What impressed me most about Pro Turf Solutions was that the president of PTS was directly involved in our field installation at Roseburg High School from start to finish. These guys are real pros."

   Thurman Bell, 4-Time State Champion
   Athletic Director & Football Coach
   Roseburg High School, Oregon

"Wow! What better way to express the feelings of our community about your efforts on Mel Ingram Field. It is absolutely beautiful and is being used every day, rain or shine! Our thanks to you, Dale, for everything you've done to make this dream a reality. Your patience with us and your willingness to explain every detail of the project was very much appreciated. You were available when we had questions and your attention to detail was exceptional. Please say hello and 'thank you' to all of your crew. We enjoyed meeting and working with them!"

   Booster Club Director