Parents upset over Lane Field closure, Home games moved
JACKSON Tenn.,- Jackson Central-Merry football booster club members are speaking out, after two home games are moved due to unsafe field conditions at Lane Field. JCM uses Lane College’s field for their home game. Lane officials said a recent game and rain damaged the turf. “Right now it’s damaging to the moral of the team,” Booster club president, Joe Hudson said. JCM only plays five games at home. Last week their home game was moved to Chester County. This week they will play another scheduled home game at Liberty Tech. Booster club members said they have lost nearly $4,000 from tickets and concession funds due to the change. “It’s very important for us to have that for those guys and you never know when you’ll have to buy new equipment,” Hudson said. Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said they keep the student’s safety first. “We would always make the decision for the safety of the kids,” Ruffin said. Ruffin also tells WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News there are no plans to build JCM their own field, something parents said they have fought for for years. Lane College said they have already started the process to fix the turf and expect it to be done by JCM’s homecoming game in two weeks. Parents are not convinced. “I’m not a professional grounds keeper, but from the looks of the field it may be put away for the rest of the year,” Hudson said. The Booster Club will hold two fundraisers to help make up funds lost. One on September 27 in JCM’s parking lot selling barbecue, and another on October 4 holding a golf tournament.
