Atwood Stadium is getting ready for the next phase of renovations, but board members will need some help to make it happen.
With football season well underway, a new fundraising campaign is ready for kickoff. Its goal is to complete the renovation of Atwood Stadium.
"We're going to hire a professional fundraiser. We need to raise about $1.5 million to really finish it up," board member John McGarry said.
Over the last five years, the Atwood Stadium Authority has overhauled the seating, added new scoreboards and archways and improved the exterior of the 81-year-old structure.
the next project will be a new playing surface. "The new field turf, like what the University of Michigan plays on, is like a natural-looking grass, artificial turf. It looks great. It's safer," McGarry said.
The more modern field turf comes with a price tag of more than $800,000.
"There are some sources out there. The NFL has a program that might allow us to get a grant and the state of Michigan has some resources," McGarry said.
Stadium Authority Vice Chairman Norm Bryant says a new playing surface will bring in revenue. Recently, a pro soccer team expressed interest in making Atwood its home. "They looked at it and one of the things they said was they won't play on Astroturf because it is hazardous and can be dangerous."
Fixing up Atwood Stadium hasn't been a quick or easy job, but if all goes as planned, the entire project could be finished within three years. "We're getting close. I'll just be glad when we can put the final touches on this thing and say, hey, we're finished," Bryant said.
Atwood Stadium first opened back in 1929.
