Athletic Field Design v4i12

2 | Athletic Facility Design

Athletic Facility Design | 3

Athletic Facility Design magazine is aresource for architects, engineers,consultants, athletic directors, stadiummanagers, school district administrators, aswell as owners and developers of pay-for-play recreational facilities. Designedto feature synthetic turf innovations andinstallations, Athletic Facility Design seeksto educate and inform those influencing theconstruction, renovation, and maintenanceof athletic facilities.

Athletic Facility Design is published by Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC, a division of OserCommunications Group, Inc., 1877 N. Kolb Road,Tucson, AZ 85715. Phone (520) 721-1300, fax (520)721-6300, www.oser.com. Oser-Bentley CustomPublishers, LLC specializes in creating andpublishing custom magazines. Editorial comments:Karrie Welborn, [email protected]. Please call or faxfor a new subscription, change of address, or singlecopy. This publication may not be reproduced in partor in whole without the express written permission ofOser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC. To advertise inan upcoming issue of this publication, please contactus at (520) 721-1300 or visit us on the web atwww.oser-bentley.com. December 2010

Inside This Issue4 High School Football

Favors FieldTurfSynthetic turf stands up to high school demands.

7 FieldTurf FirmlyPlanted in the Garden State50 new installations brings FieldTurfcount to more than 340 fields.

10 The Community that Keeps on GivingBooster Club turns fundraising into a community event and brings FieldTurf to Veterans Field inMinnetonka, Minnesota.

11 Tarkett SportsInnovation BringsSynthetics To Life! Revolutionary Omnisports 8.3mmcolored maple wood patterns createsexcitement in sports flooring.

12 Humble ISD inMaryland ReceivesBeynon Makeover Turner Stadium’s makeover is a huge success.

13 Protect Your FieldTurf with FieldTurf ArmourOpen the field for events withoutcausing damage when you use FieldTurf Armour.

Volume 4 • Issue 12

Publisher

Oser-Bentley Custom Publishers, LLC.a division of Oser Communications Group

www.oser-bentley.com

Senior EditorKarrie Welborn

Art DirectorValerie Wilson

Graphic DesignerYasmine Brown

Project Manager

Jason Smollett

hen it was time for us to replace our fields with newgeneration synthetic turf, we based our decision onmany factors, including product performance, durability,financial strength, warranty and customer service.

FieldTurf proved to be superior in every category and our field is oneof, if not the best, in our region.

The durability, drainage and safety features built into the system arewhat separate this engineered product from the rest. It is clear thatproducing a quality product and providing first-class service are toppriorities at FieldTurf.

In addition to its performance characteristics, the FieldTurf system isless expensive than natural grass by a mile.

We have played on other synthetic surfaces, produced by othercompanies, and the vote is unanimous among our players and staff:FieldTurf is the best surface we’ve played on. I cannot give a higherrecommendation for any product that we use. The quality of theFieldTurf surface and the quality of customer service we have receivedis unmatched.

Greg FicarraAthletic Director at Perth Amboy High School

W


HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

merican football has been around for decades. It began as

a transition from English rugby, also called football, which

then evolved into the uniquely American game that is

played today. From adolescence to high school, college to

the oh-so-lucrative professional employment, football is a sport that

is woven into the very atmosphere of America.

From the first games played in schools in the early 1900s, football was

played on grass, which often turned to mud, or slush—depending onA

High School FootballFavors FieldTurfSynthetic turf stands up to high school demands

By Karrie Welborn



whatever weather was occurring at the time. Weather made the game

more challenging, but it also made the play inherently more dangerous.

The rough and tumble of strong young bodies charging into one another

meant the possibility of broken bones and bruised muscles. Head

injuries and sometimes, permanent injury to players, was also possible.

For at least 60 years though, grass was all that was available.

When artificial turf was first used, it was hailed as a great

improvement over grass. Unfortunately, early “created” turf proved, at

times, to actually be harsher than grass. The first round of artificial turf

was more akin to laying a carpet over asphalt than it was a true

substitute for a grass field. Popularity for the artificial fields began to

wane. At a perfect time in this potential transition back to grass, along

came FieldTurf whose founders, former professional sportsmen, not

only researched what went wrong with earlier artificial turf, but sought

to create improvements that would reduce injury. Unlike the carpet-like

original, FieldTurf is comprised of individually created blades, which,

like blades of grass, move with the player. What FieldTurf fields do not

do, is turn to mud, mush or puddles by weather and trampling feet.

Slowly, as the new century took hold, so too did this newer, safer,

improved turf with its patented sand and rubber infill system.

As knowledge of the safety factors became visible through actual

use, high schools as well as professional ball teams began to look at

FieldTurf as a viable option for sports facilities. The new turf is safe

for young adult players as well as professionals. In high schools,

fields are used for physical education classes and often for

community events as well. This means that the fields are in constant

use, not simply during a game. The need for low-maintenance, high-

use, all-weather fields was a priority for high schools in America, and

FieldTurf was the answer.

As the second decade of the 21st century begins, FieldTurf’s long

history of innovation and product development means more and

more high schools are opting for FieldTurf.



Mission Viejo High SchoolMission Viejo, CaliforniaBob Johnson, Head Coach at Mission Viejo High School in Mission

Viejo, Calif. noted that although he had always been “old school” in

terms of grass vs. artificial turf, his experience with the high school’s

FieldTurf has essentially won him over. In its fourth year, the field

continues to be a positive addition to the athletic department.

According to Johnson, organizations that need a great deal of usage,

like schools do, are served well by FieldTurf. The need to have the

field available and ready at all times, for physical education classes

as well as competitive sports, is just one of the positives FieldTurf

brings to the school. He added that generally, even after intense

weather, the field is playable within an hour or so. The consistent

surface, he maintained, is helpful to the youth who play the field.

Maintenance, which is also a key factor when considering FieldTurf,

was equally high on Johnson’s list, along with customer service.

Saint Thomas Aquinas High SchoolFort Lauderdale, FloridaGeorge Smith has been coaching football at Saint Thomas Aquinas

High School (STA) for 39 years. Currently the school’s Athletic Director,

Smith has seen a lot of high school football, and a lot of football turf.

In 2007, the high school had FieldTurf installed in Brian Piccolo

Memorial Stadium, primarily because of the low cost of maintenance.

The field has heavy usage from freshman to varsity teams in football,

lacrosse and soccer—not to mention the physical education classes.

Approximately 2,000 students utilize the fields in various classes and

sports. In a single day there can be as much as three hours of boys

physical education, the varsity football team practice after school,

and in the evenings soccer practice for both boys and girls.

Smith said he believed FieldTurf was safer than grass fields for

youth to play on because it was not possible to keep grass fields

maintained in exactly the same way at all times. With grass, if it is cut

a fraction higher or lower the field will play differently. With FieldTurf,

the field is always consistent and the play is level from game to game.

He mentioned as well, that when a student hits the sand/rubber infill

it is deep enough to dissipate the shock. “There are a lot less injuries,”

Smith noted, “because cleats don’t stick in FieldTurf. It is an

unbelievable, really, really special field.”

Colerain High SchoolCincinnati, OhioWhen the Cincinnati Bengals decided to have FieldTurf installed in

Paul Brown Stadium, the install became an incentive for Colerain

High School to purchase FieldTurf. Colerain’s Athletic Director, Dan

Bolden, said that back in 2004, when the Bengals were installing

their FieldTurf at Bengals Stadium, Colerain was given the

opportunity to have the high school’s field installed as well. As

they had already decided the price was right, the immediacy that

was available due to the Bengals’ installation became a clincher in

the decision-making process.

The field is used not only for football, and physical education,

but a semi-pro team in the area uses it for practice. The local

peewee soccer teams play on the turf. The YMCA lacrosse team

plays on it even though they have to chalk their lines on with

removable chalk paint. The current freshmen at Colerain like the

turf because as middle school students, they have already played

on it, and enjoyed it.

The high school trainer, said Bolden, believes injuries are not as

dramatic or as often—for example, there are fewer twisted ankles

because with FieldTurf there are no potholes in which young ankles

can be tripped.

The Colerain Cardinals won the State Championship the first year

the field was in place. “We were good before the FieldTurf was

installed,” Bolden said. “I like to believe we would have won on any

field, but the fact is, we won on FieldTurf.” He added that because

they are a team that runs the ball rather than throws it, the

consistency of the turf could certainly have contributed to their game.

“I will never go back to grass,” he concluded.

Better Play. More Safety. “Consistent” is the word most often used by high school athletic

personnel to describe their experience with FieldTurf. Safety, the

number one consideration of high school coaches, trainers and

athletic directors, is well-served by FieldTurf’s consistent playing

surface. With FieldTurf, problems such as divots, mud and slickness,

which can cause injury, do not occur. Although it is true that injury

can occur in any contact sport, when playing surfaces become

weather-influenced or simply uneven, injuries can occur more

frequently. With FieldTurf, the consistency not only helps young

athletes play better, it allows them to play more safely. ♦


NEW JERSEY INSTALLATIONS

FieldTurf Firmly Plantedin the Garden State50 FieldTurf fields installed in 2010

chools, municipalities and sports organizations at all levels

across the great state of New Jersey have once again made

FieldTurf the number one choice of artificial turf systems.

2010 was another record-setting year for FieldTurf with 50

sports field installations in New Jersey alone. The feedback from

FieldTurf’s customers indicates this is largely due to the product’s

unrivaled safety features, its longevity and many characteristics that

make it a great investment.

Adding 50 more installs in New Jersey in 2010 brings the

total number of FieldTurf installations in the Garden State to more

than 340.

As 2010 comes to a close, FieldTurf is once again the product of

choice by an overwhelming margin—nine out of 10 organizations

purchasing synthetic turf fields in 2010 chose FieldTurf.

One of the higher profile users selecting FieldTurf was the

NY Giants/NY Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium. FieldTurf

introduced an exclusive, innovative end zone tray system at the

new stadium so that each NFL team has its own custom end zones.

Other users such as high school teams and collegiate squads play

over a third set of trays which are

just green. The NY Giants also

have FieldTurf for the indoor and

outdoor fields at their Timex

training facility.

Rutgers University recently

upgraded to FieldTurf as part of

their football stadium expansion

program, while Princeton

University installed its third

and fourth FieldTurf surfaces

this year.

Fairleigh Dickenson also chose

FieldTurf for a third time for its

baseball stadium field upgrade.

Rider University was added to

the already impressive list of

collegiate users in the state.

FieldTurf is now used at 23

college-level fields in New Jersey

alone, representing almost all

collegiate-level fields throughout

the state.

High school users of FieldTurf

remain the product’s number one

fans. New Jersey is now home to a total of 150 high school fields,

with more than 110 of them public high schools. In 2010, 16 new

high schools chose FieldTurf. Ten were public high schools and six

were private.

FieldTurf is proud to announce the recent addition of six new fields

at the private high school level: Oratory Prep, Notre Dame Prep High

School, Red Bank Catholic High School, Union Catholic High School,

and Delbarton Prep with two fields.

Private high school users now total 37, which include some

nationally recognized athletic programs such as Don Bosco

Prep, Bergen Catholic, St. Peters Prep, St. Joe’s High School and

many others.

With regards to the obvious preference of FieldTurf systems

throughout the state of New Jersey since 1998, almost every college

in New Jersey using an infilled artificial turf surface selected FieldTurf

over all others.

FieldTurf’s 50 fields amount to more than 4 million square feet

of artificial turf installed in 2010 on sports fields in the state of

New Jersey. ♦

S

Notre Dame High School

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

The Community thatKeeps on GivingVeterans Field, Minnetonka, Minnesota

s 2010 draws to a close, Minnetonka High School moves

into its fifth year of play on their FieldTurf field. The turf is

a part of the Athletic Complex, a $3.5 million project

funded privately through the Minnetonka Diamond Club in

2006. The Diamond Club was initially created as a booster club for

the high school, which then evolved into a very successful, nonprofit

fundraising entity for the community.

With the strong commitment of the varied but intertwined

partnerships within the area, a FieldTurf multi-sport, multi-purpose

field was purchased for the school district and the community. The

field was named Veterans Field by Cambria, a contributor to this

project, to honor all men and women who have served in the

country’s military. It also creates an awareness concerning local

veterans. By bringing together disparate aspects of the town—local

businesses, individuals, families and sports leagues—the ongoing

fundraising process has created a greater sense of community. This

community cooperation and solidarity allowed the field to be

purchased and the complex built without any tax dollars assessed.

The field is also home ground for Minnetonka’s Class A baseball team,

the Minnetonka Millers.

The field itself, located at the high school in the center of town, is

220 yards by 250 yards and with the movement of some fences, can

be either a baseball field or two full 100-yard football fields. Even the

pitcher’s mound is covered with FieldTurf, and is moveable.

The high school’s Varsity Baseball Coach Paul Twenge, said that

on any given day hundreds of young people use the field either

through physical education classes, team practice, speed and

strength training or actual team play. In the evenings the youth

baseball and football associations schedule two to six games during

their respective seasons. Elementary and junior high students also

use the field. According to the Diamond Club’s website, at least

3,000 youth play on Veterans Field within a year. Twenge explained

that as many as 260 events can occur on the field annually. In short,

the FieldTurf surface is used constantly and concurrently for a

variety of practices, events and league games. The community is

tremendously committed to youth, noted Twenge. Although sports

are a major factor, the commitment, he said, goes far beyond

athletics even though it was the need for a new high school playing

field that initiated the fundraising.

When asked what made the field so wonderful, Twenge said that

easy maintenance, injury reduction, ball bounce and better play

were all reasons the field was excellent. He was especially

enthused about the drainage system. He cited a day he witnessed

the edge of a tornado and torrential rains while sitting in the

dugout. By the time the rain stopped, he said, one and a half to

two inches of water had pounded down and onto the field. If it had

been natural grass, further play that evening would have been

impossible. With FieldTurf’s drainage system, the field was cleared

of water within 22 minutes. There was no water residue on the

field and the game continued.

Twenge was also very pleased with the clarity of the sales people.

He commented, “The product they described is the product we

received.” Once installed, Twenge added, the service was quick, rapid

and complete.

From his perspective of 30 years in baseball, Twenge said,

“FieldTurf is the only way to go.” ♦

Karrie Welborn

A

Veterans Field


Tarkett Sports Innovation Brings Synthetics To Life! Omnisports 8.3mm colored, maple wood patterns

or decades basketball was played exclusively on

hardwood maple floors. The surface was favored for its

ball return and shock absorbing properties in addition

to its reputation for durability. Over time, realizations

were made concerning hardwood maple, specific to the costs

required to maintain it and its vulnerabilities as a multipurpose

surface. For many high-schools and other educational

organizations, justifying the costly upfront and long-term

resources needed for a hardwood maple sports surface was

difficult to do on an already limited budget. The fact that

hardwood is not the most conducive to civic activities made it

even more difficult to support. Addressing these issues, Tarkett

Sports successfully introduced a cost-effective synthetic sports

surface called Omnisports that provided excellent safety,

performance and maintenance friendly benefits. The foam-backed

sport vinyl flooring incorporated a realistic synthetic maple

pattern designed to replicate the appearance of natural hardwood

maple. Completing the range were 10 solid color and three

additional wood species options.

In early 2010 Tarkett launched an innovative and exciting

sports flooring design: four colored wood-looking patterns that

help to bring the synthetic surface to life. As opposed to

traditional installation methods that incorporate plain solid colors

for basketball keys or perimeter areas, Tarkett Sports’ Omnisports

and the four colored wood-looks now allow for the integration of

realistic colored maple planks. The new Omnisports stained

maple is available in red, blue, green and grey and already it is

in strong demand amongst the architectural and athletic

community. The consistent surface texture between the colored

maple and traditional maple results in a safe and dependable

sports floor. Athletes and coaches can now experience the same

levels of performance throughout the court without having to

compromise on appearance.

Innovation is one of the things Tarkett Sports does best, and

their most recent example, the above-mentioned Omnisports

8.3mm colored wood-look flooring, is particularly important.

Cost-conscious athletic or academic programs that are looking

for a surface that offers safety, performance and multipurpose

use, but not interested in the expensive costs associated with

natural hardwood courts now have an incredible alternative.

Thanks to this new colored maple design, it has become

increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a synthetic

and hardwood court and Tarkett Sports takes great satisfaction

in that. “Any gymnasium, whether it is in a high-school, a

recreational center or a church, is often a great source of pride

and joy for the owners, the end-users and the community,” said

Stephane Leudet, Vice President of Tarkett Sports’ indoor division.

“It is very important, as a manufacturer of synthetic sports

surfacing, to commit to developing products that our customers

can trust and take pleasure in. The launch of this new product

provides for the most realistic synthetic maple surface on the

market and it feels as great as it looks. When we introduce the

product to the customer and we see their level of excitement, at

that point I know that we have done our job.” ♦

FTarkett Omnisports


BEYNON

Humble ISD in Maryland ReceivesBeynon MakeoverInstallation of BSS 1000 13mm at Humble ISD

hen Humble ISD officially

re-opened Turner Stadium to

show off their extreme

makeover on Aug. 26, 2010,

the only thing missing was Ty Pennington

shouting, “Move that bus!” The $19.9 million

renovation saw nearly every part of the

stadium receiving much needed upgrades.

Turner Stadium was originally built in the

1960s when there was just one high school

in the district. In subsequent years, four

more schools were built that called Turner

Stadium home. The time was right for a

much needed facelift. Improvements

included new grandstands with more

legroom to seat more than 10,000 people, a

new field house, open air ticket booths, a

remodeled two-story press box, concession

stands, upgraded restroom facilities,

improved parking, stadium lighting and

new entrance sidewalks.

“We literally left the grass in the

middle of the stadium as the only thing

that hasn’t been replaced,” said Deborah

Yocham, Humble ISD Director of Facility

Planning and Construction.

One of the biggest upgrades was a total

resurfacing of the track surface and the

addition of a steeple chase. Beynon Sports

Surfaces was selected as the surface

provider due to their reputation for quality

products and service. Another reason for

choosing Beynon was that Texas’ Mike A.

Myers Stadium (where the state meet is

held) also uses the BSS 1000 13mm

surface. Humble ISD Athletic Director Troy

Kite wanted to mirror the track surface so

his athletes would be familiar with it during

the state meet.

“At Beynon we not only strive to provide a

great product that meets the demands of our

clients but also to give a service that

surpasses expectations,” commented Drew

Beynon, Vice President of Beynon Sports.

The renovations were a critical factor in

the selection of the stadium as host to the

track and field events of the 2012 Amateur

Athletics Union Junior Olympics (AAUJO).

The competition is expected to attract

between 10,000-15,000 athletes with

upwards of 30,000 spectators, with the

track and field events drawing the largest

number of participants. It is anticipated

that much of the estimated $40 million

in tourist revenue will be spent in the

Humble area.

Not only will Turner Stadium be home

to the 2012 AAUJO, they will continue to

host the Class 5A Region III and the

Class 3A Region III track and field

championships for the foreseeable future,

despite the fact that the schools in their

district have been moved to another

region. That vote of confidence is not only

a testament to the way the championships

are run, but to the surface on which they

are contested as well.

“We feel like we have the total package for

track and field,” remarked Kite. “We believe

it to be one of the top two or three high

school facilities in the entire state, and

probably the nicest in the Houston area.” ♦

W


FIELDTURF ARMOUR

Protect Your FieldTurf with FieldTurf ArmourProtective flooring for athletic facilities

hen a school district or a community invests

hundreds of thousands of dollars in the capital

purchase of artificial turf, it is advantageous to

invest in protection for that turf at the same time.

An organization’s return on its investment of FieldTurf is always high,

and that return becomes stronger when FieldTurf Armour is included

in the initial package. This multi-directional ribbed under-structure

prevents damage to a FieldTurf surface when hosting large events on

the field. However, if the Armour for the turf is not a part of the

original purchase, it is available at any time and will, at any time, add

to the value of the athletic field or sports facility.

With FieldTurf Armour placed over the field, a stadium is

transformed into a venue for non-sports events such as graduations,

concerts, assemblies, trade shows and other large gatherings. Armour

is easily set-up and dismantled, and is completely expandable. Also,

by selling time/use of the athletic facility to other organizations and

businesses in the community, additional income can be generated.

FieldTurf Armour is the best product for protecting FieldTurf

itself. FieldTurf Armour comes in light/neutral colors to keep glare

and heat at a minimum; however, customizing is available for logos

or specific colors. There are three turf protection options that an

organization or community can choose from when planning

protection of their turf during a non-game event. These are: General

Purpose Turf Protection (GP); Medium-Duty Turf Protection (MD); and

Heavy-Use Turf Protection & Portable Roadway (HU).

Increase your return while taking care of your investment in turf by

using FieldTurf Armour! ♦

W

Paul Brown Stadium

FieldTurf Armour GP General Purpose Turf Protection

• Tile size: 4" x 12" x 3/4"• Module Size: 36" x 48" x 3/4"• Weight: 0.81 lbs per sq ft• Supports: 8,000 lbs per sq ft• Suitable for guest areas, chairs and

light equipment• Does not require tools – snap

connection system• Expansion joint modules to control

expansion issues outdoors• Transition edging

FieldTurf Armour MD Medium-Duty Turf Protection

• Tile Size: 12" x 24" x 1-1/8"• Module Size: 36" x 48" x 1-1/8"• Weight; 1.44 lbs per sq ft• Supports: 20,000 lbs per sq ft• Suitable for guest areas, chairs, equipment

and staging areas• Does not require tools – snap

connection system• Expansion joint modules to control

expansion issues outdoors• Transition edging

FieldTurf Armour HU Heavy-Use Turf Protection and Portable Roadway

• Module size: 42" x 42" x 2"• Weight: 2.45 lbs per sq ft• Supports: 25,000 lbs per sq ft chairs,

equipment, staging, trailers, vehicles and trucks

• Integrated self-aligning hook-and-loopconnection system

• Secondary camlock system adds ballast• Transition edging


FieldTurf would like to thank the following advertisers for

making this publication possible:

BAS Recycling Inc. .................................................................. 14www.basrecycling.com

Chessie Sales Group Inc.5626 Southwestern Blvd.Baltimore, MD 21227410-737-9300FAX: 410-737-9309www.chessiesalesgroup.com

CRM of America LLC ................................................................. 6www.crmrubber.com

Melos GmbH ............................................................................ 14www.melos-gmbh.com

Musco Lighting .......................................................... Back Coverwww.musco.com

Pioneer Athletics ...................................................................... 2www.pioneerathletics.com

TenCate Grass......................................................................... 15www.tencategrass.com

Testing Services Inc. ................................................................ 2www.tsiofdalton.com

Athletic Facility Design8088 Montview RoadMontreal, QC, Canada H4P2L7

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