Plans are underway to place artificial turf on the football field at C. F. Russell Stadium in Trenton.
The turf will allow for a wide range of activities to take place at the field without having to be canceled because of wet conditions. This would include not only Trenton High School and Middle School football games but Kids Football, softball and baseball practice, field events related to the track teams, band practice, physical education classes, Rissler Field Day, the Missouri Day Marching Band Festival as well as a multitude of other activities.
Andy Hill, 1980 graduate of THS and Wide Receivers Coach for the University of Missouri Tiger Football Team has initiated the fund-raising effort and has secured commitments from over 35 individuals, both alumni, and current Trenton residents, to pay for a majority of the cost of the project.
“In talking with some other alums, we wanted to do something for our hometown and we think this project will benefit the greatest number of people, especially kids, as well as the Trenton R-9 School System,” Hill said.
The estimated cost of the project is nearly $600,000 but that amount can be reduced to approximately $528,000 with in-kind donations of field preparation which would include grading and dirt work.
Hill has already secured $10,000 donations, to be paid over a four-year period, so three-fourths of the estimated cost has already been committed to pay for the project. With this tremendous start, additional funds are now being sought from individuals, businesses and organizations to complete the needed funds. Any size of donation or pledge is accepted and any amount raised over the installation cost will be placed in a maintenance fund for future replacement of the artificial field turf or to make additional improvements to the stadium and adjoining area. The project will be completely paid for with donated funds.
The Foundation Trust for THS, a 501c3 organization, will serve as the depository for the funds so all donations will be tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to the Foundation Trust for THS at P.O. Box 185, Trenton MO 64683. Please put “football field” in the memo line.
If the remaining funds can be raised, the work could begin as early as next spring. Persons wanting to make a pledge or donation or who have questions can contact Foundation Trust President Dr. John Holcomb at 359-1838 , [email protected] or Foundation Secretary Steve Maxey at 359-7244, [email protected] or Wendell Lenhart at 635-0267, [email protected].
