SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/73468
important to know how much you have to spend. As a general rule, a new synthetic turf field can run anywhere from $850,000- $1,000,000. This is also true for replacing an existing grass field with artificial turf. A typical drop-in field, (replacing an existing synthetic turf field), runs between $450,000-$550,000. These figures do not include anything other than the construc- tion of the new field. Your project's cost may vary when you factor in architects, engineers, planners, etc. Another piece that will increase the initial cost, but pay for itself hockey). • Sharing the financial burden with other schools, or teams. • Fundraising by selling advertising space on the field. • Donation drives from the community. Fundraising, building a multipurpose field, donations drives and/or sharing the field with another institution can make a huge im- pact on the cost. Consider a convertible or "roll-up" field, so it can be changed out for different teams or events. Figure out the budget. Turf Selection—What turf to use and why? The technology and techniques of manufacturing synthetic turf have evolved a lot over overtime is a pad, or elastic layer. These "e-layers" are designed to improve the shock absorption and makes replacing your field (in 8- 10 years) much less expensive. The second aspect of your budget: knowing where the money will come from. If you have the money in-hand, great; otherwise, consider ways to offset the cost. • Build a multipurpose field (soccer, football, lacrosse, field the years, and so have the standards for what makes turf safe, playable, and durable. Not all synthetic turfs are created equal and selecting the right turf is a big part of constructing the perfect field. In addition, your synthetic turf is just one component in an ath- letic field. We like to think of them as a complete system comprised of a compacted soil base, intelligent drainage network, precisely lay- ered gravel, optional elastic layer (e-layer), on which the turf and infill are laid. Please note the specifications of our Matrix Turf. I won't go into the specific properties and testing methods, but in general here are a few things to consider when selecting the appropriate turf: What activities will take place on the field? Certain synthetic turf systems are optimized for different sports. For instance, we have artificial turfs designed for American football, soccer, and two types for baseball—one for the field, and another specifically for the running paths. How often will the field be used? The more you use something, the faster it will wear out, so it makes sense to plan accordingly. If your turf field will be used 24/7, consider paying the premium for a higher quality turf system. Who will be using the field? High school sports are more de- manding than elementary and middle school sports and collegiate sports are more demanding than high school sports. Consider the level of competition taking place on your turf. Where will the field be located? Is the field an indoor practice field, or an outdoor multipurpose field? Will you need a roll-up www.stma.org SportsTurf 21