100 Yards of New Carpet on VanMetre Field
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Work began this week to install the artificial turf on the Du Quoin High School's storied VanMetre Field, home to the two-time state champion Du Quoin Indians. It is part of the $1.8 million in improvements to the entire sports complex that includes a stadium makeover, new baseball field and a complete renovation of the gymnasium.
Work began on the stadium even before classes at the school closed May 20. It involved moving the field surface about 10 feet to the south to accommodate a wider track surrounding it. New drainage was installed beneath the field. New curbing was installed to separate the playing surface from the track. rushed stone was rolled into place.
There is a layer of ground rubber on top of that. The New York contractor installing the playing surface drove 20 hours to get here this week and will spend between four and five days installing the machine-stitched striped surface. This is the latest generation of artificial surface, which has the look and feel of real grass.
The entire stadium will be ready for the opening home game in September. Work also continued to finish the new east side concourse and new seating in Anders Gymnasium. Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 is keeping its existing gym as part of the $18 million new high school construction project.