Back to Facility Manager
Contents
Back to
Home |
By Amy Durham
Whether it’s synthetic or natural, turf
can make or break the success of a sports stadium. Contributing to
quality of play, aesthetics and even fan experience, turf has an
enormous impact on the game. From soccer to football to baseball and
beyond, managing turf means more than watering the grass.
The Birth of Turf
It started with the Houston Astrodome. Indoor games were suddenly the
norm, rainouts were a thing of the past and artificial turf ushered in a
new wave of opportunity for stadium management. Not only could games be
played indoors, but large venues could be used for other
income-generating uses, such as conventions and concerts, with no damage
to the playing surface.
 |
 |
|
For turf management, look for companies that
specialize in sports surfaces, suggests Bob Curry, president of
Covermaster Inc. “Also look for companies that support the various
trade associations for turf and stadium managers. They fund the
vital education programs that help managers create better turf and
stadium conditions.” Photos this page courtesy of Covermaster. |
Those first generations of artificial turf were used in domed stadiums
for nearly 25 years, until the Skydome in Toronto opened in 1989 as the
first stadium with a retractable roof. Once again, natural grass could
be grown on the field under natural light.
Stadiums
with retractable domes popped up around the world, including the new
home of the Astros, Minute Maid Park in Houston. Owners of most of these
fields planted natural grass seed, hoping to assuage growing concerns
about the safety of artificial turf. When the Arizona Cardinals
commissioned a new stadium in Phoenix, “The team and the owners of the
facility wanted natural grass,” says Scott Norton, director of sales and
marketing for Global Spectrum, the management company for Cardinals
Stadium.
In northern climates, where domes are closed more often due to inclement
weather and for stadiums designated for football, the invention of
retractable roofs was only one step toward solving the live grass
dilemma. While hardy strains of live grass flourish in some retractable
dome stadiums, the light is still too low to grow durable plants that
can withstand the damage of athletic play.
Natural Turf Technology
Electric lamps have been used to grow turf in domed stadiums and
supplement sunlight in retractable roof stadiums, but this method must
be combined with plant genetics and other technologies to create just
the right conditions for a particular climate. If the ground becomes too
cold or the sunlight expected is diminished, live turf grass won’t stand
up to game day wear and tear. Most of the time, grass must be completely
replaced on a regular basis to maintain a healthy and aesthetically
pleasing field.
While
there have been efforts at creating removable sections of field to grow
grass outdoors, the most innovative technique in use today is at the new
Arizona Cardinals Stadium in Phoenix. Unlike the large, interlocking
grass containers used for events like the 1994 World Cup, the field
conceived for the Cardinals Stadium is contained in one large tray. It
is the first fully retractable natural grass playing field in North
America.
 “It’s a natural grass surface that can be easily moved in and out of the
facility so that we can host numerous other non-football events,” Norton
says. “Because the field spends the majority of the time outside soaking
in the Arizona sun it is allowed to grow much better.”
The building and outside field were designed to maximize sunlight on the
turf. The tray, with water in it, weighs approximately 18 million
pounds. A 13-rail system with 76 single-horsepower motors on the outside
wheels aids the movement of the field, which can be transferred in or
out of the stadium in about 75 minutes.
 |
|
Replacing old artificial-turf technologies,
Sportexe turf is made from high-quality fibers designed to maximize
performance and player safety. Diagram courtesy of Sportexe. |
“To protect natural turf, look for systems that allow good ventilation
to the grass and under the panels, as well as enough sunlight
penetration.”
“When
the field moves out, we have 160,000 square feet of column-free exhibit
space with a full utility grid in the cement floor, climate-controlled
to host other events,” Norton says. “We’ve been delighted with the
performance and multipurpose capabilities of this great facility.”
Synthetic Turf
Technology
After hurricanes wreaked havoc on parts of the southern
United States, the Louisiana Superdome was in shambles. To renovate and
rededicate the stadium, management called in Sportexe to reinstall
technologically advanced synthetic turf. “The reopening of the Superdome
is a sign of New Orleans’ resiliency and a testimony to the spirit of
the people of New Orleans,” says Mark Nicholls, CEO of Sportexe.
Today’s synthetic turf is different in several ways. First, the
technology to simulate natural grass has advanced, creating a playing
surface that offers traction, stability and speed. Also, the backing on
artificial turf, such as that made by Sportexe, boasts several layers to
enhance strength and durability. Last — and most important to the
players — the fiber tufts of turf can be imbedded in a uniform matrix
rather than in “corn rows,” which create uneven traction and stability
on the field. The infill can be made from a rubber and sand combination
that’s up to 70% rubber, decreasing the compacting of sand — a process
that can reduce shock absorption.
The
biggest skeptics of synthetic turf — the players — are coming around.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn says, “I thought the field was
in tremendous condition. It played fast and true and footing was not a
problem at all.” Safety Steve Gleason agrees: “The Superdome playing
surface was fantastic. It’s in great shape and footing and consistency
were never issues.”
Synthetic turf certainly has its advantages, including ease of
installation. The Superdome field was installed in 20 days. With new
engineering and research efforts on the part of companies like Sportexe,
artificial turf is still in the game.
Wear and Tear
Whether you choose natural grass for its fan-pleasing properties or
synthetic turf for its easy care and durability, field maintenance is an
ongoing process. “Today’s facilities demand that revenue be generated
and local events held to make the stadiums viable in their community,”
says Bob Curry, president of Covermaster Inc. “To ensure proper and safe
playing conditions for the athletes, turf — whether natural or
artificial — must be protected during all non-athletic events.”
Just as turf technology has come a long way in the past 50 years, so
have turf protection systems. Today facility managers can rent or
purchase systems to suit any venue and every type of turf. Patrick
Lensing of Infield Systems/Rola-Trac North America says, “For facilities
that don’t have a lot of events, it’s best to rent. Our rental crews
come in and handle everything. We even monitor traffic while the cover
is down to ensure that nothing unexpected happens.”
If your venue hosts events often enough to warrant the purchase of a
protection system, you can hire management teams for these as well.
Systems come in a variety of materials and applications, depending on
the type of field you need to cover. “On natural fields, non-athletic
events can create high abrasion damage on the turf as well as heavy
compaction on the subsurface,” Curry says. “In some instances, a portion
or the entire field may have to be replaced at great expense. If damage
is excessive and results in poor field conditions, player injury is
possible.”
To
protect natural turf, look for systems that allow good ventilation to
the grass and under the panels, as well as enough sunlight penetration.
“The design must also reduce heat buildup,” says Curry, who recommends a
system that rolls into place and can be moved out of the way quickly
after the event concludes. “On artificial turf, damage to the surface
may result in expensive repairs or replacement, as warranties may be
void if the field is not protected during non-athletic events.”
To protect synthetic turf, look for a system that creates a solid waling
surface that connects together on all sides for support. “The system
should easily follow the contours of the field without the individual
panels separating from each other,” says Curry.
The
variety of systems available may seem daunting, but Curry suggests that
the roll-up plastic panel systems are the most practical. “They are less
expensive and allow for the quickest installation and removal times,” he
says. “This allows for more frequent use, with shorter turn-around times
and a lower operating cost due to fewer man hours of labor.”
Amy Durham
is an Emmy-winning freelance writer based in Dallas. She covers
architecture and home design, retail, finance, IT and weddings. Her work
has appeared in titles such as Texas Family Magazine, First Home, and
Country Lifestyle. |
|
