Will Rocky DiPietro Field sport turf?

Ever thought of what it would be like to have a turf football field in Sault Ste. Marie.

Well, many members of the Parks and Recreation Committee are thinking about it.

So many of them in fact that it was discussed at their monthly meeting on Tuesday night at City Hall.

Brought up while discussing new business by city councillor Brian Watkins, the group discussed the topic at length during what was the groups first meeting of 2012.

With the popularity of football locally holding a steady line with roughly 700 players suiting up locally between the high school, Sault Minor Football, Sabercats, and Steelers levels, the turf would serve a great purpose at Rocky DiPietro field.

Now, this doesn’t mean that the field will be undergoing any sort of transformation in the near future, but it is a possibility down the road.

Committee member Barry Rushon, who has served as a coach and team president with the Steelers and is also actively involved with football at the high school level, brought up that it had been looked into while Superior Heights was in the process of being built.

At the time, it was estimated that it would cost roughly $1.3 million to put turf down at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The process could be done without affecting Jo Forman Track, which currently runs around the outside of the field.

Also discussed was the fact that, should turf be laid down at the field, it could also wind up being and multi-use addition for the complex.

It could also be used locally for soccer and lacrosse, among other sports.

The turf would be similar to that used at Steve Omischl Sports Field Complex in North Bay.

The North Bay complex went to turf on two of its three full-sized fields last spring.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda, the group re-elected Jerry Bumbacco as chairperson while Gino Cavallo was re-elected as vice-chairperson.

The new West End Community Centre was also discussed briefly.

Specifically, discussions were being held with regards to naming rights for some of the rooms but it fell through.

As reported earlier by SooToday.com, the complex is moving along well and not far off schedule.