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
among the most durable available," says Barry Johnson, construc- tion superintendent for Southwest Greens. "XP Pro maintains 85% of its fibril integrity over a 10,000- cycle test, which mimics 10 years of use. This evaluation was based on the industry-standard LISPORT Test*," he said. INSTALLING COOLING CANNONS One of the challenges for Associate Director St. Onge was how to keep the fields cool and comfortable during hot Georgia summers, and how to clean them year-round. "Georgia summers can warm up to 100 degrees. That means a St. Onge reports that the KSU facilities have become a magnet for big league events. The 2011 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer College Cup was recently played at the new KSU stadium in December 2011. surface temperature of 120 to 180 degrees and that sort of heat goes right up the cleats. "I was familiar with Underhill's Mirage Series of long-throw sprinklers. They cover up a lot of turf with a high volume of water that effectively cools and cleans the entire surface. We in- stalled four to six heads per field, depending on site dimensions. "My experience is that synthetic turf and cooling systems go hand-in-hand. You can't build a synthetic turf sports field in Georgia without planning for a cooling system. Our first concern is player safety and cooling the fields helps ensure that." M-174s sprinklers from Underhill International feature a long throw (up to 174 feet) so they can be placed outside the area of play for greater safety. "We considered a range of options, but the durability of the M-174s met our criteria for long-term perform- ance," she said. St. Onge reports that the "cooling cannons" are run before games, and often at halftimes, when the field temperatures ex- ceed 150 degrees. Each head covers a 180-degree arc and runs for two rotations, lasting 45 to 60 seconds each and delivering up to 328 gpm, depending on nozzle and pressure. "By cooling the fields, we can bring the surface temperature university's infrastructure. Kennesaw State is well on its way to competing at the national level." * The LISPORT test is a method used to get an indication of the durability of turf blades in a specific turf construction. The test gives a visual indication on how a synthetic turf system will age in time as a result of use. The durability of the turf carpet not only depends on use, but on the combination of installation, weathering, and maintenance. The results of LISPORT testing are very useful in comparing different types of components or tuft settings and provide an indication of the durability of the synthetic turf system. In the test two studded cylinders are rolled over a test piece of turf for a pre-set number of cycles. The num- ber of cycles simulates a period of play on the pitch, as the stud- ded roller simulates a cleat. ■ down 50-60 degrees and minimize heat exhaustion and athlete discomfort." In Phase III, KSU went further and installed 10 new all-in- one sprinkler assembly packages that include sprinkler hardware and detailed AutoCad illustrations of the site-specific irrigation system. The Total Solutions Kits from Underhill include M-174s long-throw sprinkler; laterals with isolation valve configuration (3-, 4- or 6 inches deep); 3-inch electric sleeve valve; ductile iron swing joints with all required fittings and assemblies; plus a stain- less steel Turf Box enclosure, which allows access to the sprinkler without disturbing the turf. "Long throw sprinklers provide value to any synthetic turf in- stallation," said Southwest Greens Barry Johnson. "Cooling and cleaning are critical elements to maintaining a long-lasting fiber field." St. Onge reports that the KSU facilities have become a mag- net for big league events. The 2011 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer College Cup was recently played at the new KSU stadium in December 2011. "Quality academics and a vibrant campus life are part of any top university," says Kennesaw President Daniel S. Papp. "The KSU Sports and Recreation Park is an important addition to the www.stma.org SportsTurf 39