Talawanda High School is a very busy place.

Each year, we have more and more requests from athletic teams, school and community organizations to use the school fields for practices, games, events and performances. We simply do not have the space to accommodate all of the needs. As it stands now, our fields are in poor condition from overuse. The practice football field is bare. Band, football, physical education classes and a wide range of community activities use the baseball and softball outfields, and the field hockey field. They too could use a lot of work. The bottom line is that our fields are already overused and we still cannot meet the demand.

A committee of parents, coaches, teachers, boosters, band parents, and outside advisors have met to discuss the benefits of a synthetic turf field versus natural grass to be installed at the new high school, slated to open in the fall of 2011. This is a decision of major importance in terms of functionality, safety, durability, longevity, and return on investment. The Board of Education supports the initiative for Friends of Talawanda to raise enough money by June 2010 in order that a new field will be ready for the 2011-2012 school year.

McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital Partners with Talawanda School District to Improve Community Options

Wed, 12/16/2009 - 15:33 — admin

McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce an exciting commitment to our community. To help fund Talawanda High School’s new synthetic turf field, MHMH is pledging $10,000 a year for the next ten years. The pledge to Talawanda Schools is an investment in the health and wellness of our home town and builds on a 16 year Athletic Trainer service agreement between MHMH and THS. By further partnering with local schools, the goal is to not only prevent injuries to school athletes, but also benefit other students and the community in important ways.

Bryan Hehemann, President and CEO of MHMH stated, “This pledge from McCullough-Hyde will have real impact on the quality of life for everyone in the Oxford area. We are extremely proud of the partnerships between two community pillar organizations, our school and our hospital. We congratulate Talawanda Schools for their foresight and join them in a commitment to a safer and healthier school and community”.

A synthetic playing surface allows the field to be used by the entire community, open to community teams and activities as well as a variety of sport team games and practices, band competitions and physical education courses. While it significantly enhances player safety by reducing ankle and knee injuries, it helps make our community more attractive to prospective residents and businesses.

“The Field of Dreams Committee is elated to have garnered the support and backing of MHMH,” said Randi Malcolm Thomas, chairperson of the Field of Dreams Committee. The Field of Dreams Committee is composed of residents who have organized, in partnership with Talawanda Schools, to raise the necessary funds to have synthetic turf installed at the new high school stadium.

Dr. Phil Cagwin, superintendent of Talawanda Schools stated, “This commitment from McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital is another example of how a community can collaborate to dedicate its resources for the provision of a higher quality of life for our current and future residents”.

Talawanda High Athletic Boosters Pledge $50,000 for Synthetic Turf

Tue, 09/15/2009 - 16:39 — admin

Last Wednesday, September 9, 2009, the Talawanda High School Athletic Booster Organization members voted to pledge $50,000 for the purchase and installation of artificial turf at the new high school stadium. The $50,000 pledge is a commitment of $5,000 a year for the next ten years.

“This is a great milestone for current and future students of the Talawanda school district, as well as, for the greater community,” said Don Meiner, President of the Athletic Boosters. Meiner went on to say, “The booster members by this vote have raised the bar on the Talawanda athletics program.”

“The Field of Dreams Committee is elated to have garnered the support and backing of the THS Athletic Boosters,” said Randi Thomas, chairperson of the Field of Dreams Committee. The Field of Dreams Committee is composed of residents who have organized to raise the funds necessary to have synthetic turf installed at the new stadium. According to Thomas, the Turf Field project is estimated to cost somewhere between $400,000 -- $550,000.

The September 9th meeting was the third meeting at which the Athletic Booster’s discussed the possibility of making a pledge. In August, the Field of Dreams Committee made a formal presentation to the Athletic Boosters and the Boosters scheduled a vote for the September meeting to allow all members time to research and evaluate the plan.

On Wednesday, after an open discussion period, the membership on hand voted overwhelmingly to donate a minimum of $50,000.00 towards the purchase and installation of a new artificial turf surface at the new Talawanda High School Stadium.

To learn more about Talawanda’s Field of Dreams project please go to www.thsfieldofdreams.org.

For further information please contact Talawanda Booster President Don Meiner at 513-505-3348, or Athletic Director Chris Weaver at 513-273-3205.

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