Memorial Stadium Closed Until Aug. 10: Football Turf Removed

JOLIET, IL — Just three weeks after hosting the Taste of Joliet, a three-day event that drew 46,000 people to Memorial Stadium, Joliet Park District director Brad Staab is on to his next project. And it's a big project.

This week, the football stadium turf is being removed from Joliet's Memorial Stadium. New FieldTurf will be put down and the project's completion date is set for Aug. 10.

Staab told Joliet Patch's editor the new FieldTurf is expected to cost around $560,000.

The Joliet Park District's new stadium naming rights sponsor, Busey Bank, will be defraying the costs for the new FieldTurf.

Staab told Joliet Patch the original turf was installed n 2010.

"They said it would last eight years, and we made it last 12 years," Staab remarked. "We're excited to preserve a 72-year-old facility."

Joliet's Memorial Stadium was built in 1950.

Joliet Catholic Academy and the University of St. Francis play their home football games here. It's also used for soccer and track and field.

Staab said Memorial Stadium is used for events and programs about 300 days per year. "The usage is there, and it's a huge part of Joliet," Staab said.

Patch asked Staab what the company plans to do with all the old turf that's being ripped out of Memorial Stadium.

"They recycle it," he said.