Idaho School Debates Fake or Real Turf

MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) — Parents and school officials are weighing the cost of replacing the aging turf on Meridian High School's football field.

KBOI reports the 9-year-old field poses a safety risk to students, but putting in grass would cost much less than installing another turf field. School officials say real grass would cost about $40,000, while artificial turf would cost ten times as much. The $40,000 price tag for a grass field doesn't include watering costs.

West Ada School District Board chairman Mike Vuittonet said the grass wouldn't be able to hold up against the many teams that use it, and would cause other problems. The school district wants to get at least another year out of the current field, and parents say they want it changed no matter the cost.