South Dearborn HS Has Sights Set On Multi-Purpose Turf Field After Big Donation

A SD alum donated 500-grand towards the project at Tuesday's school board meeting.

Mr. Jerry Backman, Superintendent, Mr. Eric Lows, and Business Manager, Mr. Shawn Spindler. Photo by SD Athletics. 

(Aurora, Ind.) – It appears South Dearborn High School will get a multi-purpose turf field after all.

Discussions about how to improve the facilities at South Dearborn Schools have been going on for quite some time. Athletic facilities have been included in those discussions.

On Tuesday night’s school board meeting, South Dearborn alumni Jerry Backman, donated $500,000 for the construction of a multi-purpose turf field.

Superintendent Eric Lows says the approximate cost for the turf field will be around $915,000. To make up the difference from the donation, funds from a $5 million renovation project at the high school is expected to be reallocated towards the turf field project. 

The turf field is expected to include a 22-millimeter shock pad. 

"The pad should help with the longevity of the field and provide some cushion," Lows said. "We are excited about that."  

South Dearborn would be the fourth area school to construct a multi-purpose turf field (Lawrenceburg, East Central & Harrison). The school board is expected to approve the project at next week's board meeting. 

Lows says construction could start as early as July 1 and that the field could be ready sometime during the fall semester. 

"Everything will have to fall into place for that to happen," Lows said. "We're excited, this is a great thing for the school, the corporation and all the different programs that will get to use the field." 

With the State Road 350 bridge closure in effect through at least August, Lows says construction crews may have to get creative to get heavy materials on campus. 

"Regardless, we're excited, this is a great thing for the school, the corporation and all the different programs that will get to use the field," Lows added.  

The multi-purpose field would be used for physical education classes, football, soccer, band, cheerleading, baseball, softball and programs at every level.

Lows hinted that concession, restroom and locker room upgrades could be coming in the future. For now, the focus remains on moving forward with a brand-new multi-purpose turf field.