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To:  Mr. Ken Leach  -  Executive Director of Planning and Facilities

From:  Jack Rhoads - Executive Director of Extra-Curricular Activities

Subject:  Replacement of Artificial Turf at Rhodes Stadium

Date:  May 31, 1993

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I would like to recommend that we replace the artificial turf at Rhodes Stadium with the Astroturf product sold by the Balsam Company for the following reasons:

1.  The knitted nylon fiber in Astroturf sold by Balsam is the best artificial turf product on the market.  The nylon 6-6 fibers, through testing, have exhibited superior strength when compared to polypropylene fibers.  The strength of this fiber, and it's elasticity, will cause it to be better resistant to wear.  This is the reason that many Astroturf fields have exceeded their warranty and lasted longer than 10 years.

2.  In talking with athletic directors and coaches and walking on several fields in the area, it is concluded that the Astroturf field and pad is softer than other fields which will increase safety for those competing on the  field.

3.  The Balsam Company has had the most experience with the sewn seams and pad and the vertical drain system which are positive factors of field installation that we prefer.

4.  Astroturf was and continues to be the innovator and leader of the synthetic turf market.  Balsam has installed more fields in the United States and worldwide than any other supplier.  They have done over 300 field installations in the U.S. and 30 in Texas (16 high schools).  Astroturf is used at Texas Stadium (Cowboys), University of Texas, and Texas A & M University along with a majority of the major universities across the nation that have artificial turf fields.  Their production and technology of artificial turf is first class.  In talking with athletic directors where Astroturf has been installed, Balsam provided quality workmanship for their installations and have always done a very good job of servicing their product.  The warranty provided by Balsam is proven security as shown at Texas A & M University and Cypress-Fairbanks I. S. D..

School districts in the Houston area installing Astroturf are:

Spring Branch ISD

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Alief ISD

Spring ISD

Fort Bend ISD

I have visited with some of the athletic directors in the area of the school districts that have Astroturf fields.  The following are comments from these people about why their school districts selected Astroturf.

Mike Williamson - Spring Branch ISD

Astroturf is the best product on the market today.  It is safer and the Balsam Company is very strong.  We replaced the field at Tully Stadium in 1985 with Astroturf.  The field which was replaced was the old Astroturf and had been used for eleven years.  Have had very few problems with the previous field and those were take care of with no problem.

Leroy Crum - Alief ISD

Had Astroturf on stadium field for eleven years before replacing last summer.  Field was used for football and soccer practice in addition to game competition in football and soccer.  Experienced two minor problems, but bother were taken care of immediately.  Field was very playable the eleventh year and could have been used another year.  Reasons cited for selection of Astroturf last summer were Balsam Company service, sewn seams, nylon material, pad used, and the fact that the surface was used eleven years with no major problems.

Ken Pridgeon - Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Purchasing the Astroturf product from Balsam is the best security a school district can have for it's field.  After eight years, our field developed a small problem and Balsam totally replaced the Astroturf with a new field at no charge.