STC to donate soccer field to Haven for Hope at annual meeting

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) is donating a 16,200-square-foot soccer field to the children and families of Haven for Hope at its annual membership meeting Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 in San Antonio. STC’s member companies donated materials and labor to fund the community service project.

Since 2006, Haven for Hope has been a place of hope and new beginnings for men, women and families faced with homelessness by providing, coordinating and delivering shelter and care aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness. There are nearly 600 adults and 75 families – including 160 children – residing on the campus.

“Through the generosity of our members, the industry is enthusiastically coming together to build a soccer field for Haven for Hope, the city of San Antonio’s centralized homeless management provider,” says Rick Doyle, STC’s president. “We are committed to community wellness, environmental responsibility and healthy lifestyles for children through the use of synthetic turf.”

The dedication ceremony at Haven for Hope is on Monday, Sept. 29. The general session and educational program kicks-off on Tuesday, September 30 at the Hilton Palacio del Rio on the historic Riverwalk. Presentations include: an economic briefing by Brian Beaulieu, ITR Economics, including suggested management objectives and business cycle phases; a critical science update by John Sorochan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, on player performance and safety; insured warranties by Glenn Quackenbush, Scott Danahy Naylon; and playground regulations, ADA regulations and the advantages of synthetic grass by Mara Kaplan, Let Kids Play.

The Lunch & Exhibitor Showcase on Sept. 30 – after the general session – allows buyers and end-users such as athletic directors, parks and recreation officials, architects/engineers, municipalities and others to learn more about the synthetic turf industry and to network with many of the industry’s leaders. STC members include synthetic turf installers, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, base contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies.

Meeting registration fees include access to the evening reception on Monday, all educational sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday and admission to the Lunch & Exhibitor Showcase on Tuesday afternoon. Registered attendees will also receive access to all available session handouts, including attendee and exhibitor lists.

Photos: Haven for Hope courtesy of STC