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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 12, 2006 The case of Crater's missing turf By chris conrad Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — A determined team of thieves made off with a 1,500-pound roll of white artificial turf meant for Crater High School's football stadium. The theft occurred sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning, Central Point police Lt. Chuck Newell said. "It would've taken a rather large truck or trailer and more than one person to haul it out of there," he said. "It could be a practical joke, but our officers have seen artificial turf for landscaping." It's doubtful this particular roll will be used to heighten a property's curb appeal. White yards are not in fashion, at least not yet. "Maybe they will paint it green," Newell said. Advertisement The turf, which sells for $5 a square foot, was meant for the Dutch Meyer Stadium's sidelines and end zone, said John Beck, Crater High School athletic director and football coach. "It cost around $9,000," Beck said. "Most of the money came from in-kind donations from places like Lithia Motors, Pepsi and Twin Peaks (Development Co.)." The stadium refurbishing kicked off in June, when it was announced the school would install multi-sport FieldTurf. The estimated bill for the renovation was about $750,000. FieldTurf is a grasslike surface made of fibers and a soft composite of sand. The surface is used by a handful of high schools and colleges throughout the state and is expected to save School District 6 between $20,000 and $60,000 each year in maintenance and water fees. Beck said the theft won't affect the upcoming football season. He expected practices to start on schedule in a little over a week. "The field should be finished within a week or week-and-a-half," he said. If the turf's bright white color wasn't enough to deter the thieves from trying to sell it or actually use it for landscaping purposes, chances are they'll be doubly disappointed to learn the roll needs to be filled with rubber and sand before it can be of any use. "It's basically worthless," Beck said. "Without the in-fill, it's just plastic grass glued on fabric." Anyone with information — or whose neighbor's yard has miraculously turned white overnight — is asked to call Central Point police at 664-5578. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews