News Summary
GeoSurfaces Southeast has completed turf upgrades at four high schools in Aiken County, enhancing athletic facilities and reducing maintenance costs. Funded by a local sales tax, this $3.9 million project aims to provide year-round use of fields for multiple sports. The Pivot® Performance Turf installation not only improves safety and practice conditions but is expected to last 12 years. The upgrades will also include essential features like bleachers and lighting, set to revolutionize the experience for student athletes.
Aiken, South Carolina – GeoSurfaces Southeast, a subsidiary of TenCate Company, has finalized turf upgrades at four high schools in Aiken County. The schools benefitting from the new installations are Aiken High School, Ridge Spring High School, Midland Valley High School, and Silver Bluff High School. This $3.9 million project, funded by a 1% sales tax approved by voters in Aiken County in 2014, aims to enhance the athletic performance and environmental responsibility of the facilities.
The installations utilize Pivot® Performance Turf, which eliminates the need for black crumb rubber infill and closely mimics the aesthetics and playability of natural grass. This type of turf allows for year-round use across multiple sports, significantly reducing ongoing maintenance costs. The new surfaces eradicate the requirement for fertilization, watering, and mowing, resulting in cost savings for the schools.
Completion of the turf at Silver Bluff, Midland Valley, and Aiken High Schools is projected by May 2025, while Ridge Spring-Monetta High School is expected to follow suit with turf installation scheduled for later in 2025 in time for the upcoming football season. The upgraded fields will not only be larger than the previous playing surfaces but will also include essential features such as track and field spaces, new concession stands, restrooms, lighting, bleachers, and press boxes—especially at Aiken High School.
The long-term vision for the Aiken County school district includes a comprehensive plan to install artificial turf at all high school football stadiums, addressing previous challenges associated with maintaining natural grass fields. This initiative is anticipated to improve safety and practice conditions for student athletes and marching bands, an important consideration for the district’s commitment to providing quality facilities.
This significant advancement in athletic infrastructure marks a notable milestone, as prior to these upgrades, only North Augusta High School had artificial turf at their football stadium. The move to install Pivot® Performance Turf signifies a commitment to modernizing facilities which are crucial for student engagement and performance. The turf is designed to withstand the rigors of athletic competition and is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 12 years, effectively mitigating issues related to wear and adverse weather, which previously limited practice usage.
The installation is being overseen by multiple skilled labor teams that are working concurrently across the selected schools, ensuring that the enhancement of these athletic fields proceeds in a timely manner. The upgrades are set to revolutionize the experience for student athletes, increasing their chances of training effectively and competing successfully in their respective sports.
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Additional Resources
- WJBF News: Artificial Turf Installation
- Wikipedia: Artificial Turf
- PR Newswire: Pivot Performance Turf Installation
- Google Search: Pivot Performance Turf
- WRDW: Aiken High Schools Field Upgrades
- Google Scholar: Artificial Turf Benefits
- WFXG: Silver Bluff High School New Turf
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Artificial Turf
- Post and Courier: Aiken Schools Turf Article
- Google News: Aiken County High Schools Artificial Turf
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
