GSL looks at alternatives to Albi for football games

Don’t count on watching high school football at Albi Stadium in the fall.

The Mead and Spokane school districts are examining alternative sites for the upcoming season, citing safety concerns with the stadium’s decaying turf.

The action was prompted by the release of a study by BioMechanica of Portland commissioned by Brett Sports, which oversees operation of the Spokane Shadow.

The report found the artificial turf in the stadium, owned by the city of Spokane, unsuitable for play, according to representatives of both districts.

When asked if, without a new surface, the district would have to play elsewhere next fall, Cal Johnson, executive director of student services and activities for the Mead district, said “it appears that way.

“I say (appears) because in order to make a definitive answer that’s something that should considered by the (school) board. We haven’t been able to do that yet.

“Basically, I’ve given the report to our athletic directors, our high school principals, to our facilities maintenance guy and to our superintendent, and we are all of the same agreement.

“Our first priority is the safety of the kids. So right now, it appears we will be playing elsewhere.”

The sentiment was echoed by John Mannix, executive director of facilities and planning for the Spokane School District.

“After a report of that nature, I would not feel comfortable putting our athletes on that field,” he said.

Both school districts would prefer to play at Albi, but with a new synthetic surface.

Mannix and Johnson said their districts are committed to supplying a new surface, but they need a pledge from the city of Spokane that the facility will stay open and be maintained for the life of the turf, some eight to 10 years.

“We’ve said right from the start, both school districts have said it, we are willing to put new turf in, the best turf we possibly can,” Johnson said. “But we need some kind of assurance, and that’s what we’ve been trying to get for months, actually.

“To both school districts it’s a cost savings to do that rather than to try to develop our own stadiums. It’s smartest all the way around.”

Both districts pay a minimal fee to use Albi, one that covers the cost of the event.

A city official said Friday they are in discussions with the school districts about options for possibly replacing the Albi turf for the fall football season.

If Albi is not available, the districts have few options.

The five Spokane and two Mead high school football teams may have to play games on Friday or Saturday afternoons at the high schools.

That would, in most cases, mean adding stands, temporary bathroom facilities and concessions, upgrading field maintenance and putting together the infrastructure to host a varsity football game.

Other alternatives being explored include the schools playing all their games on the road, serving as the home team while renting the opponent’s facility.

Next year the only Greater Spokane League members with lights on their home fields will be East Valley, Central Valley, University and Gonzaga Prep.

The GSL is also exploring the possibility of converting Spokane Falls Community College’s stadium back to a football facility.

Another alternative that might be examined is leasing the football field at the former University High site.