Bluefield_Rules 46 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/local_story_162232040.html?keyword=topstory Dirt churned at Mitchell Stadium By JED LOCKETT Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD  The transition from natural turf to artificial turf has officially begun at Mitchell Stadium. Crews began installation work Monday to bring a new playing surface to the city’s old football venue. “We have gotten all utilities cut off and from a city point of view, we’re ready for them to start excavation,†Bluefield board of directors member Ron Crabtree said. “They have committed that they would be in this week to start excavation.†That excavation began as dirt was piled up at the stadium field. It was the first step in the installation of the artificial surface known as FieldTurf, or as Crabtree put it, “the rug.†“They have to take out eight inches worth of soil and come back in with the base material for the rug,†Crabtree said. “But that’s the beginning of it all, is just excavating the existing ground and then coming back in with the underlaying support for the artificial turf.†Crabtree said that the deadline for the project is the first week of August. “That gives us plenty of time to get geared up and ready for ... the last Friday of August when school starts and Graham and Beaver play their first game,†Crabtree said. The new field will represent the city. Crabtree stated that the 50-yard line will feature an outline of the state of West Virginia with a white star at Bluefield’s location. He also said that the word “Bluefield†would occupy each of the end zones. FieldTurf will not be the only change coming to Mitchell Stadium. “We’re going to be putting in a new fence around the perimeter of the field itself to replace the old rusty fence that was there before,†Crabtree said. He said the fence will be “plastic coated to resist the rusting that went on with the old chain-link fence. It will be a dark blue color to match some of the areas that are going to be blue on the field.†For Crabtree, the installation of a new playing surface at Mitchell Stadium is a goal he has strived to achieve for a long time. He takes a great amount of pride in the accomplishment as well as what it will mean for the athletes playing on it. “When I first came here and was city manager, that was one of the things I really wanted to get something done to, Mitchell Stadium,†Crabtree said. “We’re moving forward. It’s going to be a very nice, very state-of-the-art, very professional job and I think it’s going to be very much encouraging to the kids that come over and play on that quality of field.† Contact Jed Lockett at jlockett@bdtonline.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefieldRocks 14 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 There only putting West Virginia then a white star to represent Bluefield? when i was at the rec, they were talking about having West virginia and virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaverteeth 10 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 I bet the city will tax us for that fencing.... or is that being donated too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefieldRocks 14 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 I think that may have been donated also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefield_Rules 46 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I bet the city will tax us for that fencing.... or is that being donated too? [/ QUOTE ] My understanding is that all the upgrades taking place were funded by Ms. Shott... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefield_Rules 46 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 [ QUOTE ] There only putting West Virginia then a white star to represent Bluefield? when i was at the rec, they were talking about having West virginia and virginia [/ QUOTE ] I think the Virginia outline might have gotten axed b/c Bluefield intends on bidding on the Super Six once all the upgrades are complete and the next bidding cycle comes around. Although, everyone knows that the Super Six isn't leaving Wheeling anytime soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefieldRocks 14 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 So in other words. This stadium now looks completley looks like its only home to the bluefield beavers. I mean, basically maroon,white and blue endzone art. and a white star on bluefield WV.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefield_Rules 46 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] So in other words. This stadium now looks completley looks like its only home to the bluefield beavers. I mean, basically maroon,white and blue endzone art. and a white star on bluefield WV.. [/ QUOTE ] The stadium's turf will look as if it's property of the City of Bluefield, which it should since they own it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghs84 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] So in other words. This stadium now looks completley looks like its only home to the bluefield beavers. I mean, basically maroon,white and blue endzone art. and a white star on bluefield WV.. [/ QUOTE ] The stadium's turf will look as if it's property of the City of Bluefield, which it should since they own it... [/ QUOTE ]i agree 100% rules.but i think that since the Graham G-Men and the Bluefield Beavers have called this field and stadium home for so many years that something should be visibly present to represent each school dont you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefield_Rules 46 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] So in other words. This stadium now looks completley looks like its only home to the bluefield beavers. I mean, basically maroon,white and blue endzone art. and a white star on bluefield WV.. [/ QUOTE ] The stadium's turf will look as if it's property of the City of Bluefield, which it should since they own it... [/ QUOTE ]i agree 100% rules.but i think that since the Graham G-Men and the Bluefield Beavers have called this field and stadium home for so many years that something should be visibly present to represent each school dont you? [/ QUOTE ] Yes, and there might something to represent each school. Regardless though, I'm not going to complain b/c we've got the turf so many us have hoped for and wanted for so long. I honestly don't care what it says on the field. I'm simply thankful for the turf and the fact that Ms. Shott decided it was a worthy cause... Personally, I'm in favor of putting up small bill-boards on the scoreboard end of the field with the state title owned by both schools and room to add more in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefieldRocks 14 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I'd like that, so on one side have Bluefield Beavers 8-time state champions then list the years that they won it. Then the same on the other side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefield_Rules 46 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I'd like that, so on one side have Bluefield Beavers 8-time state champions then list the years that they won it. Then the same on the other side [/ QUOTE ] No, it shouldn't say 8-time state champions because that would have to be redone when #9 is won. It should say: Bluefield Beavers WV State Champions AAA: 1959, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1975, 1984 AA: 1997, 2004 Graham G-Men VA State Champions AA: 1962(?), 1989, 1995 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRV 24 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I don't think Bluefield, WV residents will be taxed more to pay for the fence. I mean, Tazewell County residents will probably be paying for it so that Graham can play their games there. How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this? Couldn't that money be put to better use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGPIN 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 "How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this?" were the heck have you been the last three months? All of this is being DONATED by a BLFD WV resident, all the "shell" out is rent. If they dont like go play in the pasture somewere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this? Couldn't that money be put to better use? [/ QUOTE ] Yeh, like for new lighting and a new fieldhouse in Richlands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMann 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this? Couldn't that money be put to better use? [/ QUOTE ] Yeh, like for new lighting and a new fieldhouse in Richlands... [/ QUOTE ] Hahaha yeah we will take what we can get!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghs84 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this? Couldn't that money be put to better use? [/ QUOTE ] Yeh, like for new lighting and a new fieldhouse in Richlands... [/ QUOTE ] Hahaha yeah we will take what we can get!!! [/ QUOTE ] I wouldve spent that money putting a new heating system for Graham high school in.i think that shouldve been at the top of the list.imagine the shoe on the other foot.we have a boiler ready to blow up any time and richlands is getting lights and a field house.go figure that one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGPIN 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I guess Graham needs to win a state championship... lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigD4VT 11 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] How much does the Tazewell County School Board shell out of their budget to pay for this? Couldn't that money be put to better use? [/ QUOTE ] Yeh, like for new lighting and a new fieldhouse in Richlands... [/ QUOTE ] Hahaha yeah we will take what we can get!!! [/ QUOTE ] I wouldve spent that money putting a new heating system for Graham high school in.i think that shouldve been at the top of the list.imagine the shoe on the other foot.we have a boiler ready to blow up any time and richlands is getting lights and a field house.go figure that one out. [/ QUOTE ] The funding to replace the heating system at Graham was approved at the same time as the field house. Both address serious safety concerns. The old lights at RHS were probably the worst in the state. RHS generates more revenue from football than any school in the county and deserve better facilities than they've had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGPIN 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Yea, they do sell alot of those "Rusty" R stickers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I guess Graham needs to win a state championship... lol! [/ QUOTE ] I guess when Richlands wins one more they'll have the same number of State Championships as Graham... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL_CcLB34 10 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I guess Graham needs to win a state championship... lol! [/ QUOTE ] I guess when Richlands wins one more they'll have the same number of State Championships as Graham... [/ QUOTE ] man i just want one of those big inflatable helmets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The old lights at RHS were probably the worst in the state. RHS generates more revenue from football than any school in the county and deserve better facilities than they've had. [/ QUOTE ] As I've said in the past about the lights...send the old ones to Graham HS to replace the ones that have been there since the early 70s... And, not to beat a dead horse or anything like that, but how about putting some cash into improving the visitors seating. No school "deserves" better than any other school in the county (not counting that money pit in Pocahontas which should have been closed years ago). All county taxpayer money is "equal" and should be spent that way amongst the schools... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_school_blue 247 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Big D said that Richlands deserve better than they have. Not better than everyone in the county. I think the money for the lights was already set aside by RHS. I believe all county schools deserve an equal share. I wish Graham had separate facilities of their own. They deserve that. The problem is not favortism towards one school or another. The problem is money--or lack of it. And money management--or lack of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigD4VT 11 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Didn't say they deserved better than any school in the county. I said they deserve better than they currently have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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