For the price of about a million dollars, schools can invest in a turf field to support their teams. Thousands of schools and stadiums across the country have decided to go with turf fields. However, that money can be considered well spent because schools playing on turf fields no longer have to worry about weather related problems involving fields.

Recently, Whitman looked into upgrading the all-natural stadium field to artificial turf, which is much more durable than grass and isn’t affected by the elements. However, due to the cost and increased injury risk associated with turf fields, the school decided to continue using natural grass.

Walter Johnson installed a turf field earlier this summer after several seasons of dealing with a poorly maintained field. However, the W.J. athletic director, Sue Amos, thinks that the rewards far outweigh the price.

“It’s paid off in the fact that we didn’t have to re-do the field after football season,” Amos said. “It’s also paid off because we don’t have to cancel practices or games because of inclement weather.”

The entire cost of the installation was about a million dollars, but due to a partnership with Bethesda Soccer Club, the school paid only half of that amount.

Richard Montgomery renovated its entire school during the 2007 school year, and chose to install a turf field in 2008. It became the first high school in the county to put in turf. Maryland Soccer Enterprises, owners of Real Maryland who play their home games at R.M., paid roughly $300,000 of the total $900,000 price of the field. School officials believe that the turf field has been a huge success.

“We haven’t had any opposition because everybody in the school and community is so satisfied with it,” Jon Freda, RM Athletic Director said. “For the coaches and staff, we don’t have to worry about cancelling games or practices.”

Montgomery Blair installed turf prior to the 2009 school year. However, the turf came free to the school because the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission owns the field. Yet, Blair athletics come first over county athletics.

“We have first priority,” Dale Miller, Blair Athletic Director said. “We submit the times of our games and practices, and then they rent the field out after that.”

Coaches also approve of the turf field installations. Walter Johnson’s lacrosse team recently started its first of many seasons on its turf field.

“Turf takes a lot of the variables out of the game such as crazy bounce shots and tricky ground balls,” Wildcat’s Lacrosse coach Alan Pohoryles said. “Players especially like it that we can practice during or after a rainstorm, and the field doesn’t change very much.”

Montgomery County would like to install turf at all 25 area high schools in the future. Yet, even though it comes with a hefty price tag,  many people are satisfied with what the fields are capable of.