Stadium Watch Blog

Vikings stadium turf heading for Rochester’s Mayo High School

The Rochester Post-Bulletin says the Mayo High School booster club is going to give new life to the Metrodome's turf. The Touchdown Club has raised more than $100,000 to acquire and install the turf, and the school board approved the donation yesterday to pay for the project. Reports the Post-Bulletin:

The turf is being stored in a warehouse in southeastern Minnesota, though Mayo High School officials declined to say where. It will be shipped in on eight semis this summer to begin the 8- to 10-week installation, which will be paid for by the Touchdown Club and local sponsors.

The paper reports that the donation sparked some envy. Two other Rochester high schools want turf fields for their football and soccer teams, but don't have the money.

The turf dates from 2011, when the weather and replacement of the collapsed Metrodome roof forced the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission to scrap the Metrodome's previous turf. It's expected to last 15 to 20 years and save as much as $20,000 a year in maintenance costs.