The Higley Unified School District Governing Board voted last month to replace the grass football field after season's end with synthetic turf.

District officials said they made the change in order to provide a more practical space for the programs within the school and the Gilbert community. 

The district is in final negotiations with the construction company Hellas, which is based in Austin, Texas. For more than 10 years, Hellas has installed athletic surfaces all over the country, including AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The company’s track record in the industry, along with its technologically advanced products, made it a no-brainer for the district, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Michael Fowler said.

“We’re excited (because) we are going with a company that I think is on the cutting edge, and they really want a footprint here,” he said.

Hellas will begin construction on site in December and the project should be completed within 90 days, according to Fowler. There is also an expected introductory ceremony prior to next season’s kickoff in August.

Higley has entertained the idea ever since the other high school in the district, Williams Field, turned to artificial turf in the summer of 2015. Williams Field is reaping the benefits of their new surface, and Fowler outlined those potential benefits for Higley to the board in September.

Artificial turf has been proven to be more environmentally friendly compared to traditional grass, in terms of conserving water and utilizing recycled materials, according to documents on the district’s website.

Synthetic turf also provides a safer, more consistent playing surface for athletes and that idea has been validated by more than 75 studies, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In addition, Fowler said the surface’s infill and drainage system will keep it significantly cooler in Arizona’s blistering summer months.  

The documents also showed that the project would cost $1.25 million. However, they also pointed out that the long-term maintenance and upkeep of a synthetic turf field costs significantly less than that of grass.

The money for the project will mostly come from “impact fees” to the district and the Higley Center for the Arts, which consists of community rentals and education, according to Fowler.

District committee member and Higley Knights football coach Eddy Zubey said he believes that the new and improved facilities can do wonders for Higley athletics as a whole.

“I just want to have a nice playing surface for our kids,” he said. “It gives us a place for all of our athletes to train in their off-season. You don’t have to worry about tearing the field up. I think it’ll be great. … it helps out the community as well.”

Zubey and Fowler acknowledge that this could soon become a trend in high schools, especially in Arizona. With today’s sports climate, Fowler said he sees Higley’s latest upgrade as a significant attraction for student athletes in Arizona.

“It’s competitive out there,” he said. “People want to, you know, decide where to go and what’s the best high school to go to and I do think that what the level of academic and athletic competition that Higley’s providing makes it a really good place for student athletes to participate.”