In Detroit, Dave Birkett reports the third installment of turf being laid at Ford Field this month "probably will have an even shorter shelf life" than the previous turf's six years, but there is "still no chance the venue goes to natural grass." The Lions are a week into the installation process, having "purchased two fields and will have the option of replacing their soon-to-be-installed turf" in '22-24, depending on usage (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/10).
NEW DIGS: The Rice BOT has approved a proposal for a "multi-purpose indoor facility." The Robert L. Waltrip Indoor Training Center will be an 80,000-square-foot inflatable dome "used for football, women's soccer, rugby, track and other recreational campus activities." It will cost an estimated $3M and is "expected to be completed" by Sept. 1 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/10).
HEALTH KICK: The short-season Pioneer League Rocky Mountain Vibes will play at UCHealth Park after they had "played in what had for years been Security Service Field." The ballpark is "getting an overhaul with new vendors, murals and colors." The naming-rights agreement will include "campaigns like MANtenance, aimed at spreading awareness of men’s health" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 5/9).
