Zion's major fundraising focus for 2024-2025 was called Fund the Field! The goal was to install a high quality artificial field turf on the school playground that would allow for year around access. For years it has been a struggle to grow grass due to the high usage. Then, come rain or melting snow, the playground field would become so muddy that students couldn't play on it.
In the spring Zion contracted with a company called Go Turf. A turf product was selected that would best support Zion's needs. Unfortunately, the turf selected has been on back order for the past four months due to high demand. UPDATE: Go Turf has informed us that our turf selection is in production as of this writing!
So while the field turf will not be ready for the start of school - significant progress has been made:
Three large trees have been removed. This was the only regrettable part of the project. Two of the three trees were already damaged and the third had such a raised root bed that it would have been difficult to turf around.
The old fence has been removed and will be replaced with a slightly higher fence (to help keep balls in). A temporary fence will be installed to keep students off the construction area once school starts.
This week, a drain is being installed to help the field shed water and keep it from pooling on the new turf.
There is the possibility that the new field turf will be installed shortly after the start of school. It will be very exciting for the students to watch! Once the new field turf is installed, we will have a special night for families to come and celebrate its completion. The Board of Ed will grill hamburgers and hotdogs and there will be a bounce house and games on the field for the students!