From the Sidney Daily News
The drive to raise $600,000 to install synthetic turf in Sidney Memorial Stadium has enjoyed a solid month of November, according to the Sidney Vespa Quarterback Club, which is leading the effort. At the most recent public update in late October, signed pledge cards and cash had been received totaling $411,080. That total now stands at $490,680 entering Thanksgiving weekend, representing almost 82 percent of goal.
The club is hopeful of a late December announcement of a signed construction contract and a completion goal of early May 2014 in time for Sidney High School commencement on May 24. In its most recent press release, Vespa-QB indicates that a strong finish is imperative to meet the goal and also include include a few extras such as spelling out SIDNEY in one end zone and LEHMAN in the other.
“While we’re hopeful of a few more large donations, we’ll need to bundle many smaller ones to get to the finish line,” said President and Turf Chairman Dave Rose. “Our solicitors will remain active in December. We’ll also have a ‘last call’ in mid-December for anyone who was missed.”
While Sidney, Lehman, and OHSAA playoff football will continue to be be the most visible uses of an enhanced Sidney Memorial Stadium, synthetic turf allows many potential additional activities that are detailed on the Vespa-QB website www.vespaquarterbackclub.com . The turf donor segment of the website has been updated to reflect today’s pledged total. Sixty-eight donors ranging from $100-to-$100,000 are currently included. “We’d like to expand this donor list at all levels,” Rose commented. “Everyone can make a difference.”
The stadium hosted a Lehman home football first-round playoff game almost three weeks ago but can’t be in the mix for neutral site matchups in rounds two, three, and four without synthetic turf. The OHSAA adopted this policy in 2011. With synthetic turf SMS would likely host on all three of those weekends, including state semifinals (round four on Thanksgiving weekend).
“We continue to believe that the addition of synthetic turf will make Sidney Memorial Stadium the best high school football facility in Ohio for teams, fans, and the media. Our location, sight lines, and amenities are already second to none,” Rose concluded.
Link
I still say I'll believe it when I see it, but here's to hoping for playoff games in Sidney 2014!
Edited by displacedrocket, 09 December 2013 - 05:18 PM.