The Luling ISD Board of Trustees approved a proposal from Hellas Construction for stadium improvements at Eagle Memorial Field. The funding for the renovations is coming from a Maintenance Tax Note, which will not increase the tax rate for the City of Luling. The main scope of the project is completely renovating the turf field and expanding the track from 6 to 7 lanes. The home side bleachers will be completely replaced to accommodate up to 1,800 spectators for any given event taking place at Eagle Memorial Stadium.
Safety and utility were a priority for Luling ISD, which is why Matrix®turf, Ecotherm™infill and a Cushdrain®elastic layer pad was selected and installed by Hellas. The result is a softer impact for the athletes, helping reduce injuries and concussions.
Ecotherm infill reduces the temperature of the field up to 20 degrees cooler versus a synthetic turf field with black crumb rubber, and no irrigation required, saving the ISD over 3 Million gallons of water per field annually. Ecotherm has been a major success in dryer climate areas in South Texas including the following high schools, Alamo Heights, Vanderbilt Industrial, Falfurrias, Hebbronville, and La Feria.
With the installation of a Cushdrain pad, drainage of the field will improve substantially keeping athletes, band, ROTC, cheer, dance and other participants on the field and decreased downtime due to inclement weather.
The encapsulated epiQ Q3000 7-lane track consists of two-component polyurethane and SBR granules. The result is a durable, resilient, textured all-weather surface, which will be in the color of grey complementing the Luling school colors.
To finish off the renovation, Hellas is installing LED lights and a sixty-foot-wide press box with a film deck and canopy. “Hellas Construction is honored to be selected as the sports construction provider for Luling ISD,” says Hellas Business Development Manager Bob Jones. “The stadium will be one of the finest in the area upon completion”, Jones adds.
Matrix Turf fibers are manufactured at the Hellas Fiber Plant in Alabama and are tufted at the Hellas Textile Plant in Georgia. The fibers have a natural look and feel, providing a soft yet strong surface with a long-life span.Matrix with Helix technology used at Eagle Memorial Stadium is the same turf system used by the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. Hellas is the Official Turf Provider of the Dallas Cowboys and their practice facility at The Star in Frisco. Hellas is the Preferred Turf Provider of the Houston Texans and the Houston Methodist Training Center for the Texans.
The Helix feature consists of shape memory technology added during the manufacturing process, allowing each fiber to curl and return to its original position while securing the turf’s infill. The curled monofilament fibers of Luling’s new Matrix turf will not only give the Eagles an aesthetically pleasing playing surface, but will offer a superior level of resiliency, stability, and durability.
Hellas Construction, Inc. headquartered in Austin, TX, is the largest vertically-integrated sports construction contractor in the United States, specializing in the general construction of sports facilities and sports surfaces. Hellas champions innovative artificial turf manufacturing, base construction, field, track and tennis planning, along with installation and maintenance. hellasconstruction.com
Luling ISD is located in Caldwell County with a small portion of the district extending into Guadalupe County. It also serves communities of Joliet, McNeil, and Soda Springs. In 2009 Luling ISD was rated “academically acceptable” by the Texas Education Agency. lulingtxed.net
Dallas Cowboys headquartered at The Star in Frisco, TX, part of the NFL's NFC East Division. dallascowboys.com
Houston Texans headquartered in Houston, TX at NRG Stadium, part of the NFL's AFC South Division. houstontexans.com
