HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) Holland's Municipal Stadium is getting its first-ever facelift.

The football stadium, built in 1979 and home to Hope College and Holland High School football, is getting new turf and new brick wall facing around the lower level of the stadium.

For longtime Hope head football coach Dean Kreps, the upgrade is a welcome change.

"We're the last ones (in the MIAA conference) to put turf in," says Kreps.  "Albion put it in last year. Adrian about three or four years ago. Kalamazoo's is down now so we're the last piece of the puzzle."

Hope is also expected to take over ownership of the stadium from the city of Holland. Ownership, along with the new synthetic turf, will allow Hope to use it all week long throughout the season.

"The big thing, we never practiced, nobody ever practiced in the stadium," says Kreps. "High school or college. So now we'll get to be here during the week and practice when we're going to play. The fact that it's turf, we'll practice on the turf before the games now. I think that'll be a big advantage for us."

Kreps says Holland High School will continue to use the field during its season as well. A name change is expected. One suggestion being considered is to name it after former Hope football coach Ray Smith.