The Orlando City Council voted last week to negotiate a contract with AstroTurf to install the artificial turf pioneer’s fake grass at the Citrus Bowl stadium. The deal isn’t final, but the vote all but guarantees that AstroTurf — rather than a competing artificial surface — will soon be underfoot at the stadium.
The decision follows a nationally televised debacle during the most recent Capital One and Champs Sports bowls, when players slid around on loose sod that had recently been laid down and was then deluged by heavy rains.
City officials say artificial turf is more durable and can handle multiple days of heavy use without the maintenance required by natural grass. Modern artificial turf isn’t injury-prone like early incarnations, they said.
A competing company, Field Turf, complained that AstroTurf does not hold a Florida general contractor’s license. But AstroTurf was the company recommended by Orlando’s turf consultant.
Venues Director Allen Johnson said the company will work with a licensed contractor to put down the turf. “They’ll have to meet whatever requirements there are to install the product on the field,” Johnson said.
Negotiations will determine the final price, but it can’t exceed the budget of $1.5 million, he said. The work is expected to be done by Sept. 1.