Danbury Football Field Stripped and Awaiting New Surface

The Danbury High School football field is minus its carpet grid, but the new carpet is on order and the city is confident it will be ready for the fall season.

"We're playing football this fall," said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

The carpet that was replaced was installed for fall 2002, and the new carpet and replacement is expected to cost about $600,000.

"Are we happy we had to do it this year? No. We'd rather have done it in two or three years," Boughton said.

He said the last carpet lasted nine years, and he is hoping this one lasts longer. Danbury High School had the town's original artificial turf field, and now there is one at Broadview, one in Rogers Park and one at Immaculate High School.

"That spreads out the use," Boughton said.

Director of Public Works Antonio Iadarola said this was the year to replace the carpet, because it was at the end of its life expectancy. Once that happens, the carpet could tear and trip athletes or the surface becomes too compacted and hard and athletes risk impact injuries.

"Right now, all we're waiting on is the carpet," Iadarola said. He explained that all schools replace these artificial turf fields in the summer, when the field isn't in use. That slows down production of replacement carpets.