Discussions continue over grass/turf in Camp Randall

Camp Randall Stadium’s artificial grass has sprouted concern among state officials, including the governor.

As state officials continue to explore whether to install grass in Camp Randall Stadium, the UW–Madison Athletic Department remains committed to artificial turf.

Gov. Tommy Thompson last month established a three-member subcommittee of the State Building Commission to examine the issue, as the university seeks to replace the stadium’s artificial turf before the 1998 football season. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Tim Hoven, R-Port Washington.

UW Athletic officials and football coach Barry Alvarez favor new turf rather than grass, with their preference related to cost, access to the field for other events, football recruiting and possible lost revenue.

Most other Big Ten schools play on grass or are in the process of changing to grass fields.

“While our analysis indicates that artificial turf is the best option, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the issue,” says Al Fish, administrative officer for the Athletic Department.

Installed in 1990, Camp Randall’s turf is compacted and worn out, according to the Athletic Department. The cost to replace it, estimated at $735,000 to $1.2 million, is comparable to the cost of constructing a natural grass field. But the annual cost of maintaining a grass field is unpredictable due to weather and use, and it could be up to 10 times higher than the expense of turf maintenance, which cost only $8,000 last year.

As a major maintenance project, 70 percent of the cost of new turf or grass in Camp Randall will be paid by the state, with the Athletic Department paying the remaining 30 percent.

Natural grass could also limit the number of concerts, high school football games, UW Band performances and other events held in Camp Randall, UW officials say. There are approximately 120 events held in the stadium each year, while most universities with natural grass fields use their stadiums for events other than football less than 20 times per year because of the damage to the grass, the Athletic Department says.

Alvarez says between 60 and 90 high school football games are played at Camp Randall each year – games that might not be played on a grass field. He says allowing the teams to play at the stadium has developed a strong connection with Wisconsin high schools. Since establishing this connection, he adds, he has never lost an in-state recruit.

Not hosting these events could, in a worst-case scenario, result in a loss of up to $700,000 a year in revenue for the university, including $250,000 for each concert not held in the stadium, the Athletic Department says. Moreover, Madison businesses would lose $2.25 million in economic impact for each concert not held at Camp Randall, about the same impact as a UW football game, according to information from the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Proponents of grass often cite increased injuries related to turf as a factor to switch playing surfaces. But an NCAA study last year found the number of injuries on turf versus grass to be negligible (37.8 per 1,000 plays on turf, compared to 35.7 per 1,000 plays on grass).