New Red Oak practice fields in place

RED OAK – Despite schools being suspended due to COVID-19, construction of the two new Red Oak High School multi-purpose practice fields has continued.

Photos from April 5 show the near completion of the fields.

The two new, all turf fields, will eliminate daily busing of student athletes from the ROHS Campus over and back from Billy Goodloe Stadium during the school year, reducing bus traffic around ROMS, plus save valuable time for the coaches. Not to mention reduced transportation costs and wear and tear on the buses.

It also allows sports such as football and soccer to practice even in wet conditions.

Prior to these turf fields and after heavy rains, athletes would have to use the gyms, or do other practice related drills as the grass fields were too muddy.

The same is true in the spring, with baseball and softball. These two sports can at least practice some of their normal drills after heavy rains.

The fields are completely fenced with clear signage in place for school use only. There is a large concrete gated entrance/exit area where the athletes can stay out of the mud and dirt from the field house to the fields and back. Both fields are lighted with practice lighting. Meaning, it’s bright enough for practice use, but not quite enough for Friday night games. The lights are the latest high intensity LED lights, making them brighter and much more energy efficient than conventional lighting, plus provides safety for the student athletes when walking back to the field house.

Although we all wish school would’ve been back to normal by now and the fields would have gotten some use this spring, unfortunately it does not look like it will happen. However, when it does and it will, the fields will be ready, the coaches will be ready and the student athletes will be ready to break in the new fields.

Special thanks to ROISD for permission to film and photograph.