Brighton High on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 roared into the 2015 gridiron season with a home-game 23-14 win against Herriman on the school’s new artificial turf.
The Canyons Board of Education and Administration, along with dozens of students, parents and dignitaries in the community, cheered the completion of the new state-of-the-art football field and track at a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the game.
The captains of the football team and student body president held the large red-handled scissors to snip the ribbon. They were surrounded by Principal Charisse Hilton, Board of Education members Amber Shill and Nancy Tingey, Superintendent Jim Briscoe, and Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore, among others.Â
Shill, who represents the neighborhoods surrounding Brighton High, told the crowd the Board members “were proud to be able to provide the turf for the community.” The $1.5 million project was proposed to the Board by student athletes, boosters and the Brighton School Community Council.Â
The Board voted unanimously in March to fund the field in the capital facilities budget.Â
In previous years, because of a dearth of practice space, the Bengal football team and other BHS athletic squads had to practice on the stadium-field grass, causing holes and divots that were difficult to repair and maintain.
Not only does the new field look fantastic, with its vibrant orange-and-blue end zones, but the turf will help prevent injuries to the student athletes, Shill said.Â
The completion of the field also means that Canyons District’s five traditional high schools have been equipped with artificial turf on their fields.Â
Brighton alumn Bryan Kehl, who was drafted in 2008 by the New York Giants, spoke at the event and challenged this year’s team to bring home the state championship to thank the community for providing the field.