The Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association) are making a major change to QuikTrip Park this offseason after the City of Grand Prairie approved $1.1 million in spending on synthetic turf for the 2013 season.
The synthetic turf will be installed by Hellas Construction. The goal is to have the turf in place by the beginning of February.
“This is a real difference maker for QuikTrip Park,” said AirHogs president Scott Berry. “I want to thank the City of Grand Prairie for approving the funds for the renovations at QuikTrip Park. It helps us in so many ways. We expect to host a number of events at the ballpark like high school and college baseball tournaments. In fact, in May of 2013 the AirHogs open the season at home on May 17, but before that opening weekend we have a junior college tournament here at QuikTrip Park. Then immediately after that opening series against Winnipeg, we host the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) baseball championship tournament. A natural grass field couldn’t handle that many games over a three-week period of time, but with synthetic turf, we’ll be able to do that. We also won’t have to worry about rain or playing on a muddy field like we have in the past.
“We want to make QuikTrip Park a premier destination place for baseball tournaments as well as other events. It will help us host concerts and other non-baseball events at QuikTrip Park. This is an exciting time for the AirHogs and QuikTrip Park. We think 2013 will be a very busy year out here.”
The field and bullpens at QuikTrip Park cover approximately 145,000 square feet. Hellas Construction will install the synthetic turf on the field, the bullpens and batting cages, as well as on the berm areas down the left-field and right-field lines.
The field will take on a two-toned color scheme with most of turf in green while the infield and warning track area will have in a terra cotta (dark orange earthy tone) color.
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