A school district in Memphis, Tenn., invested $5 million in a shade structure to cover a high school's outdoor practice field.
According to WREG, Bartlett High School athletic director Tim Jones said the structure significantly lowered temperatures on the field.
“It’s an advantage you can practice longer, practice when some of the other schools — some of the other schools can’t get on the field right now because it’s 100-plus index,” Jones said. “We can come out here and do it but we have to take precautions.”
The field is equipped with water fountains, an ice bath, and additional fans, if needed, for airflow.
Bartlett High School Principal Shannon Abraham says safety is key.
“One of the reasons that this was super important is that, as we know, is that heat is such a problematic thing right now and we wanted to make sure we kept our students safe,” Abraham said. “One of the things that we can do to keep our students safe is provide a facility like this.”
Members of the football team are ready to get on the new field.
“One of the reasons that this was super important is that, as we know, is that heat is such a problematic thing right now and we wanted to make sure we kept our students safe,” Abraham said. “One of the things that we can do to keep our students safe is provide a facility like this.”
