Members of the WCHS student body cut the ribbon for the new synthetic turf field Friday night.

WARSAW – The community got its first official look at the new Fisher Field Friday night.

The gorgeous new synthetic turf field at the Tigers Athletic Complex was on display during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new field turf project, which was done this summer, was made possible through a partnership between Lutheran Health Network/KCH and the Warsaw Community Schools System. Lutheran/KCH announced a 10-year, one-million dollar partnership with the WCS back in February.

The ribbon-cutting included school officials such as Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, WCHS principal Troy Akers and WCHS athletic director Dave Anson, along with WCHS student-athletes and representatives from Lutheran and KCH.

The field, which will also include a new track around its exterior, will allow many more WCHS students to use the facility. Programs such as marching band, PE classes and athletic programs other than just football will be able to use the new field.

The turf field is the second of its kind in the Northern Lakes Conference. Goshen’s Foreman Field is also currently in the final stages of having a tug field installed. Other area schools with turf fields include Penn, South Bend St.  Joseph, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, East Noble, Bluffton and Homestead. There are approximately 65 turf fields in the state now, according to the IHSAA.

The field hosted a scrimmage Friday night between the host Tigers and Tippecanoe Valley. Members of the Warsaw football team and coaches also held a one-hour camp for students in grades 3-8 prior to the scrimmage.

The first game of the season set for the field is Friday, Aug. 26 when Warsaw hosts East Noble on Senior Night.

The field was installed by the Motz Group, which is based out of Cincinnati.

A camper listens for instructions from a Warsaw player Friday night. The Tigers held a camp prior to their scrimmage with Tippecanoe Valley.