Georgia Tech’s grounds crew is expecting a shipment of fresh turf this week to install in Bobby Dodd Stadium – compliments of the Rolling Stones.
The damage to the pristine Bermuda grass caused by the June 9 concert triggered a clause in the Tech athletic association’s contract with AEG Live Productions, the producers of the concert, to pay for the replacement of the field.
“We were hopeful that the damage would be minimal and we wouldn’t have to (replace) it, but knowing all along that probably wasn’t going to be the case,” Tech deputy athletic director Brett Daniels said late last week.
Daniels said that the major damage was caused by cranes and other heavy machinery that were needed to set up and remove the stage and lighting for the concert. The vehicles “basically mashed the ground in,” Daniels said.
The contract calls for AEG Live Productions to cover up to $75,000 in damage to the turf. Daniels said the final cost to replace the field had not yet been worked out. In 2011, the last time the field was re-sodded, the project cost about $59,500. The field would likely have been replaced next summer if not for the concert.
Jon DeWitt, assistant director of facilities and turf, said the field will have enough time to be ready for the season opener Sept. 3 against Alcorn State. The department has shifted a movie screening planned for the field for Friday to the softball field. There is another movie scheduled for July 10, as well as fan day in August and likely a few preseason scrimmages.
In 2011, the turf was laid down on the last two days of June.
“We have a little bit more time this year,” DeWitt said. “We should be totally fine.”
On the whole, Tech officials were encouraged by the concert and have not altered plans to continue to pursue concerts. The Rolling Stones show, attended by more than 40,000, was the first in the stadium since 1994. Prior to the concert, athletic director Mike Bobinski said he expected the concert would create at least $250,000 in revenue.
“We’ve shown we can pull it off,” Daniels said. “Hopefully word will get out, word will spread in the industry and we have opportunities to do this more in the future. We certainly hope to do it.”
While ACC revenues continue to rise – the league received $302.3 million in 2013-14 –Tech is hardly alone in continually seeking out additional revenue sources to cover the growing costs of college athletics.
The window of opportunity to stage shows at Bobby Dodd is relatively tight – following the end of the spring term in early May to perhaps mid-June to provide enough time to re-sod if necessary. Working with promoters, the department will need to find acts that want an outdoor stadium of that size and can fit in an Atlanta show in that timeframe.
DeWitt wouldn’t have minded waiting another year for a re-sodding, but he understands the green of college athletics doesn’t stop with his turf.
“Whatever we can do to help out the program,” he said. “It’s an important revenue stream.”
About the Author
