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Alice ISD board hears stadium progress; community questions turf’s orange shade
Summary
Project managers told the Alice School Board the new Memorial Stadium is over 70% complete and that field turf has been installed. Community members raised concerns that the turf’s orange appears brighter than the school’s traditional burnt‑orange; presenters said the installed turf was the darkest orange available from the vendor and promised to provide the vendor color name and samples.
The Alice School Board heard a detailed progress report on the district’s new Memorial Stadium and answered community questions about the color of the newly installed turf.
Project manager Tim Blinder of Jacobs said field turf was installed and that the overall stadium project is “a little over 70%” complete. Blinder and David Glaciius of the architecture team walked the board through building‑by‑building photos, utilities, bleacher foundations and a new scoreboard structure, and said vendors are working toward a late‑July finish for both home and visitor bleachers.
Why it matters: The stadium is one of the district’s largest capital projects and a focal point for community pride, ticket revenue and district facilities planning. Progress and open vendor schedules affect fall athletics, parking and ADA access.
Community concern about color: During public comment and the stadium Q&A, Gabriel Solis asked directly, “Are the colors changing?” Residents said the orange on parts of the field looked different from the district’s traditional shade. In response, presenters said the installed turf sample was the darkest orange available from the turf manufacturer. As a project representative put it, “the orange turf is the darkest orange turf that was available by FieldTurf.” Board members requested that the vendor provide the exact product name and a full color chart so the district can share samples with the public.
Schedule and testing: Contractors said many stadium elements are in place — field turf, visitor bleachers, detention systems and track asphalt — and that field testing (GMAX impact testing) and minor finishes remain. The contractor noted weather slowed work about 10 days in May but said landscaping, flatwork and metal panel work continue. The project team said both sides of bleachers are expected to be complete by the end of July.
Ticketing announcement: Separately, the district previewed season‑ticket sales for the coming football season with priority access for existing season ticket holders (purchase window July 21–23) and general public sales beginning July 24. Pricing tiers were announced: premium $15, reserved $8 and general admission $6 online/$8 at the gate; season parking passes for six home games were set at $60.
What’s next: Board members asked staff to obtain the vendor color specification and to have someone from the turf/field vendor attend a future meeting or provide a sample on site so the board and community can confirm the shade. The project team will continue to report construction milestones and test results ahead of the fall season.
