No opening date set for soccer fields

The green grass is now on the new soccer fields. But Madison County recreation leaders are hesitant to send kids sprinting and kicking on the new green turf until the roots have taken a firm hold.

“It’s really up in the air whether we’re going to get to play a season or half a season there,” said recreation department director Robin Pendleton on when the fields will be open for use. “We’ve got to get the root system established.”

Pendleton said the sod was installed last week. She noted that as the last truckload came in to deliver sod, the truck went across the field after two inches of rain.

“So that had to be repaired,” she said, adding that: “The sod came in at a smaller width than the installer thought was coming. So if anything could go wrong with that recently, it seems like it has.”

Nevertheless, she feels confident that kids and parents will get to spend some time at the new soccer complex this fall, but leaders also want to ensure that there’s no damage to the fields that could hamper the spring soccer season. For instance, they don’t want any action on the fields after the first frost.

“We’re optimistic we can get out there for some of the season,” said Pendleton.

Madison County’s soccer season opens Sept. 15 and practice begins Aug. 20. Until the new complex is ready, soccer will be played at Mize Park off Colbert Grove Church Road south of Danielsville.