By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Those who witnessed the “before” at Gadsden City High School’s football practice field expressed appreciation for the “after” on April 11, when local legislators and representatives of Coosa Valley Resource Conservaton & Development Council presented a check to the school to pay for the project.
“It wasn’t a situation where we had a surface and made it better,” Gadsden City High School head football coach Matt Scott said. “It was unplayable. I didn’t feel good about putting kids out on that field,” the coach said.
There were drainage issues, and holes in the playing field, he said, that had to be addressed for players to safely use the field. Fortunately, members of the local legislative delegation representing Gadsden came through.
State House Minority Leader Craig Ford, who represents District 28 in the House of Representatives, and Sen. Phil Williams, District 10, were able to find funding to resurface the field and Coosa Valley RC & D was able to administer the grant that brought that money to Gadsden City High School.
Ford said he was pleased to be able to bring money back to Gadsden. He, too, attested to the need for the work on the field.
“Five thousand dollars goes a long way in the public education system,” Ford said. He said he was pleased to see the safety issues with the field resolved.
“Finding funding for things is tough,” Gadsden City High School Principal Keith Blackwell said. “To compete, we need to have facilities that kids can be proud of.
“We certainly appreciate it,” Blackwell said of the grant.
