From today’s MLive.com article:

RICHLAND – The Gull Lake High School football and soccer teams will be on solid ground, literally, for years to come.

A project to install a synthetic playing surface on the Blue Devils’ football stadium, where soccer also plays, has been approved.

The cost and contractor cannot be revealed at this time, according to Gull Lake athletic director Marc Throop, who noted that none of the money funding the turf project is coming from the technology bond issue passed last week in the district.

“This (turf) project has been in the making for almost six years through the efforts of community support and our all-sports boosters,” Throop said. “It just so happens we’re going to have those things (turf project and technology upgrades) going on at the same time.”

Construction for the artificial turf will be begin within the next two weeks and is expected to be completed by Aug. 10.

Throop said the synthetic surface will resemble that of Byron Center’s.

“It’s not FieldTurf. It’s a 50-50 blend of crumb rubber and sand in-fill, which allows for not quite as fast a surface,” he said. “It’s a good thing for soccer, but also creates a soft feel as well. It’s the kind that is preferred.

“From an athletic standpoint, it’s the type of turf that FIFA Soccer recommends for artificial turf. It’s a plus for our soccer, and it will also benefit football.”

Gull Lake football coach Tim Hiller said the benefits are “tremendous,” not only for his program but soccer, band and the district as a whole.

“It opens doors for us to host things like district and regional playoff games, youth sports programs, band competitions and community events — and we are able to host them on a far better, synthetic playing surface,” said Hiller, who pointed out it’s ideal given the facility’s high volume of usage.

“This is a necessity for our programs to stay competitive in the (Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference). Even with the improvement of the new surface, we still remain behind other local school athletic facilities in terms of seating capacity and lighting. However, it is a tremendous step forward for our school district and we are very grateful to our booster club, private donors and Board of Education for making this renovation possible.”

A reminder that the next GLBPA meeting is Thursday, May 10th @ 7:00PM in the High School Band Room.

Note:  Due to the lack of an Executive Board quorum for this meeting, we will not be able to conduct business activity.  As such, the scheduled officer election for 2012-2012 is postponed until the June 14^th GLBPA meeting.

Date: Thursday, May 10th
Time: 7:00PM
Location: GLHS Band Room

Call to Order – Mark Jones

Review of GLBPA meeting minutes 7:05 PM

Treasurer Report – Robin Jung  7:10 PM

Directors’ Reports

• Ms. Chabitch  7:15
• Ms. Latham  7:20

Policy and Procedure Committee Report 7:30 PM

Budget committee will be meeting Friday May 18^th 6:00 PM at the high school

GLBPA proposed 2012-2013 budget will be presented and vote on at June 14^th GLBPA general meeting

Other Reports

Brainstorm on fund raising ideas for 2012-2013

Year’s final GLBPA meeting June 14, 2012 7:00 PM High School band room

One of the greatest strengths of the Gull Lake Band family is the parent support, and this is never more in evidence with the flood of pictures and videos from these parents each year. One only need search Facebook or YouTube to find Marching, Symphonic, Concert and Middle School Bands in action this year – all from Band family and friends.

Some of this year’s most dedicated and prolific photojournalists, Mr. Whaley and Mr. & Mrs. Dunham, will be “turning over the reins” next year, as their Seniors graduate next month. As such, we are looking for volunteers to contribute their photos and videos next year — starting, if you can believe it, in less than 11 weeks at Summer Marching Band Camp! Other events include:

• Home Football games (pre-game and halftime)
• Homecoming pep rally and parade
• Holiday parades
• Basketball home games (pep band)
• Band festivals
• Solo and Ensemble festivals
• Band banquets and award ceremonies
• Band concerts

Parents, family and friends who are interested in helping out for next year can contact Eric Reid at eric.r.reid@gmail.com or (269) 569-1042.

… is scheduled for April 27 and 28. It is not, as may have been previously reported, this coming weekend.

Caveat: Some albums and videos may only be accessible to Friends of the poster…

• Pictures from Katri Kirchman (link)
• Pictures from Warren Whaley – Days 1-3 (link), Days 4-6 (link)
• Pictures from David Eckler – Part 1 (link), Part 2 (link), Part 3 (link), Part 4 (link), Part 5 (link), Part 6 (link)
• Pictures from Cordelia Fenwick (link)
• Pictures from Mark Marsh (link)
• Pictures from Lisa Largo-Marsh (link)
• Pictures from Carley Gordon (link)
• Pictures from Aija Rozentals (link)
• Pictures from Ana Kupstas (link)
• Pictures from Carly Heathcote (link)
• Pictures from Mary Dunham (link)

• Video from Mark Marsh (link)
• Video from Dianne DeLano Langshaw (link)

… make sure that you designate  ”Gull Lake Bands” as the recipient…

A reminder that the next GLBPA meeting is Thursday, April 12th @ 7:00PM in the High School Band Room. We are looking for volunteers for next year, especially for the Executive Board positions of President and Secretary. See you tomorrow!

Date: Thursday, 11 April
Time: 7:00PM
Location: GLHS Band Room

Call to Order – Mark Jones

Review of GLBPA meeting minutes – Kay LaPierre – 7:05 PM

Treasurer Report – Robin Jung – 7:10 PM

Directors’ Reports

• Ms. Chabitch – 7:15
• Ms. Latham – 7:20

Other Reports

• Policy & Procedures Committee – 7:30
• Band Trailer – 7:40

Old Business

• Budget Committee – Meeting April 27^th, at 6:00 PM

New Business

• Open Nominations for Election of President and Secretary – Election to be held May 10, 2012 meeting – 7:45

Adjournment – 7:55 PM

Next GLBPA meeting May 10, 2012 7:00 PM High School band room

 

Last meeting scheduled for this school year:

• June 14, 2012

Date: Thursday, 8 March
Time: 7:00PM
Location: GLHS Band Room

Call to Order – Mark Jones

Review of GLBPA meeting minutes – Kay LaPierre – 7:05 PM

Treasurer Report – Robin Jung – 7:10 PM

Directors’ Reports

• Ms. Chabitch – 7:15
• Ms. Latham – 7:20

Other Reports

• Policy & Procedures Committee – 7:30
• Band Trailer – 7:35

Old Business

New Business

• Form Budget Committee – Set date for meeting – 7:40
• Open Nominations for Election of President and Secretary – Election to be held May 10, 2012 meeting – 7:45

Adjournment – 7:55 PM

Next GLBPA meeting April 12, 2012 7:00 PM High School band room

 

Meeting schedule for the school year:

• April 12, 2012
• May 10, 2012
• June 14, 2012