Making synthetic turf history in Washington
10 Aug, 2011 By: Rick Doyle, Synthetic Turf Council Athletic Turf NewsWhile Washington, D.C. has recently been in the headlines for the debt ceiling debate, this fall the STC will be hosting a truly historic Annual Membership Meeting in our nation’s capital from Oct. 11-13. The event will feature a high-visibility Community Service Project and a Day on Capitol Hill.
Safe and resilient synthetic turf fields and parks allow kids to be active year-round. The opportunity to participate in sports at all levels is critical for the fitness, self-esteem and leadership development of youth.
In recognition of this fact, the STC, through the generous participation and support of its members, is covering the 13,200-sq.-ft. asphalt playground at Stuart-Hobson Middle School near Capitol Hill with synthetic turf, complete with soccer goals and other equipment. A Capitol Hill Cluster School located near Union Station that has been named one of the city’s best, Stuart-Hobson offers about 400 children in grades 6-8 a unique educational experience. Despite its academic excellence, the school has been without a safe outside space to play team sports and increase their fitness. That will change when the STC turns over the new synthetic turf playground to the school in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to be held on the morning of Oct. 11.
On July 27, the STC traveled to D.C. to invite many congressional leaders to take part in the
ceremony, and we look forward to their participation.
On Oct. 13, many of STC’s members will spend the day on Capitol Hill to meet with their elected
representatives in the Senate and House. These meetings are intended to raise the profile of synthetic turf, the industry, and our member companies. We have hired an advocacy firm to facilitate the scheduling of the meetings, and help coordinate the day.
The STC is looking forward to a record turnout of its members that will enhance the impact the industry will have on the media and lawmakers. Non-members who have never attended an STC meeting are invited to register for the event as guests. For meeting details and registration materials, visit the Homepage on www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
STC advances industry education with Synthetic Turf 360⁰
Last month, the STC unveiled Synthetic Turf 360⁰, A Guide for Today's Synthetic Turf, to showcase the numerous uses and benefits of synthetic turf. Available for download without charge, the education piece is the first comprehensive, annotated tool of its kind in the industry. It features information about athletic fields and the growing landscape & recreation category, which includes parks, playgrounds, homes, businesses, golf courses and more. Content covers environmental factors, safety, accessibility, costs and the various synthetic turf applications now available. This copyrighted STC document is free for use and sharing as long as it’s not altered in any way.
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