Wesclin to play first game on new turf field on Friday

   The day that many Wesclin High School students, coaches and staff have been anticipating will come on Friday.
    The Wesclin football team will have its first game on the new turf field when the Warriors host Chester. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
    "We are all very excited to take the field on Friday on our new turf field and play in our upgraded athletic stadium," Wesclin football coach Nick Hollenkamp said. "The anticipation is very high and the upgrades should bring an exciting atmosphere to Friday night lights."
    Wesclin Athletic Director Lisa Brede said excitement is an understatement when it comes to Friday night.
    "Our players, students, and community have been patiently waiting for this moment to arrive," Brede said. "The soccer team, football team, and band each got to practice on it one night last week, and they loved it. Knowing we finally get to run out under the lights on this state-of-the-art surface on Friday night makes all the hard work worth it. It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere, and we can’t wait for everyone to see it firsthand."
    Wesclin is coming off its first win of the season, a 29-6 victory at Dupo.
    The first game on the turf field was originally scheduled for Sept. 4, but that had to be moved to McKendree University because the field wasn't ready.
    But construction and maintenance crews have been working hard the past couple of weeks to get the facility ready for Friday.
    Along with the turf field, the project includes resurfacing the track, new visitor bleachers, new concession stand and restrooms. A tree was cut down and a walkway to the visitors bleachers will be created.
    The restrooms, visitors bleachers, entrance and ticket booth are expected to be completed. The concession stand still needs a few finishing touches but will be usable. The track will look brand new as well.
    The bonds for the project were $7.5 million for everything. The bonds will cover the outdoor project, a potential new fieldhouse, and projects at other schools in the Wesclin district.
    Wesclin got turf from GeoSurfaces, which is the same brand of turf that Carlyle, Central and Centralia has. Wesclin will join Carlyle, Central and Mater Dei as the four Clinton County schools to have a turf field.
    The field will be used for football and soccer games, band for competitions, and other sports for practices. Physical education classes also will use the turf field for classes.
    There will be a home plate on the field so baseball and softball can practice when needed.
    The north end of the football field was elevated so they have to tear out and redo the high jump area.
    The current soccer field will remain where it is for now. Boys and girls soccer for Wesclin Middle School was recently approved so a lot of those matches could be played on the grass soccer field. The practice
    football field also will remain by the grass soccer field.
    The current concession stand hopes to be moved to the other side of the field and will be a place for officials.
    Since it's an upgrade to their current facility and not a new build, there is no special events scheduled for Friday night.
    "Hopefully, the excitement will come from everyone getting to see all of the new upgrades," Brede said.
    The Jr. Warrior football program will have its first game on the turf field on Saturday against Aviston. The fifth- and sixth-grade game begins at 6 p.m., followed by the seventh-and eighth-grade game.
    There will be a tailgate starting at 4 p.m. at the Wesclin High School parking lot adjacent to the football field. All fans — including current players, future players, Jr. cheerleaders, high school players and cheerleaders, coaches, parents, grandparents and community members — are welcome.