News

Actions

Issues with Breaux Bridge Tigers’ football turf poses problems for home games

Posted at 11:05 PM, Jul 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-12 00:05:45-04
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrHAUBjBXOE?rel=0&showinfo=0]

Players and fans of the Breaux Bridge Tiger football team are wondering if they’ll be able to play any home games this year on their own turf.

Construction on the team’s new artificial turf field has been going on for several months, but it’s on hold because of a problem with shock pads beneath that turf.

Wednesday night, the school board gave their attorney the green light to use a bond agency to work out a settlement between the district and the contractor.

But with the first home game only two months away, the tigers could be forced to become "road warriors" this season.

"We’re at a point where the football season is quickly approaching and we need a resolution," said school board attorney, Mark Boyer.

But before the season begins, Breaux Bridge High’s football team has several obstacles to overcome. Among them, getting a new turf at their football field.

"That shock pad is at the heart of the dispute between the school system and the contractor and the architect," said Boyer.

School board officials say the shock pad proposed for the schools new artificial turf doesn’t meet safety requirements and could result in players getting hurt.

"There are people that are experts that design and create those specifications so the school board is not going to allow a shock pad to be installed that doesn’t meet its specifications," said the attorney.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual for the Breaux Bridge Tigers.

"Those guys know what they need to do it’s just a matter of pulling together and working hard and to try to meet the goals that they’ve set together as a team. And you know it’s the next man up, next coach up and let’s try to step forward and continue to progress," said the principle of Breaux Bridge principal, Louis Blanchard.

Principal Blanchard said he’s optimistic that despite the setbacks the tigers will still be successful.

"I think our guys are going to take care of business. There’s going to be some ups and downs but that’s part of life," said Blanchard.

If the field isn’t ready to go before the season, school officials say the Tigers will play their home games elsewhere in Saint Martin Parish.