FieldScience | ByNick McKenna, CSFM
Converting a field from Kentucky bluegrass to hybrid bermudagrass
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TRESSFUL, TIME CON- SUMING, PROBLEMATIC, EDUCATIONAL, EXPEN- SIVE…from a sports field manager’s position, these are
all words that can be associated with the process of renovating an athletic field. A renovation might encompass anything from a simple re-sodding to the complete reconstruction of a field from the ground up, but the end result is hopefully an en- hancement of the safety and playability of a field. During Spring 2009, the Virginia Tech athletic department initiated a unique reno- vation project of their competition soccer field. Thompson Field is home to the Hokie men’s and women’s soccer teams in the fall, as well as the women’s lacrosse team
18 SportsTurf | April 2011
during the spring. It was originally com- pleted in Fall 2003 as a native soil, Ken- tucky bluegrass playing surface with a sand-slit (Cambridge) drainage system to enhance water removal from the field. One inch perforated drain tiles were installed in the sand slits on 10-foot centers across the entire playing surface along with an in- ground Toro irrigation system.
>> A NEW CAMBRIDGE DRAINAGE SYSTEM was installed before the inter-sprigging of the bermudagrass into the bluegrass playing sur- face. One-inch perforated drain tiles were in- stalled on 10-foot centers across the entire field and then backfilled with gravel and sand. >> Inset Image: THE KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS playing surface of Thompson Field at Virginia Tech in Fall 2008.
When I arrived at Virginia Tech in Fall 2007, I was fortunate enough to be en- trusted with the management of the soccer facilities. I quickly learned the difficulties of managing a field for multiple teams and the high expectations of the coaches for their field. While the coaches were always satis- fied with the playing surface, I was always under constant pressure to increase the
Eventually, we reached a point where we felt we could no longer decrease the mowing height and ensure the safety of the field so we began “planting” the idea for a possible renovation of the field surface to bermudagrass.
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