Consideration of Artificial Athletic Fields for High schools, parks, and recs
Artificial turf has become the natural choice for almost every sport. More and more training grounds, competition venues, and multi-use sports fields are switching from natural grass to artificial turf, at all levels of play.
As the gap in quality and playability between natural grass and synthetic turf narrows, the advantages of turf is growing. Turf fields offer significant benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness, revenue potential, ease of maintenance, and sustainability.
This blog will answer your key questions about turf field installation and guide you through each major step of the planning process. From choosing the right materials to assembling your team of specialists and vendors, we’ll help you lay the groundwork for a successful turf field project. Let’s kick things off!
What Is Artificial Turf?
Ever wonder why we call artificial turf "AstroTurf"? It’s actually a brand name that has become synonymous with artificial grass products, much like how “Gatorade” is used for sports drinks. AstroTurf got its name from the Houston Astros’ old home stadium, the Astrodome, where it was first installed in the 1960s. This product revolutionized sports fields by providing a durable, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass.
AstroTurf was the pioneer in the artificial turf industry, launching the movement toward synthetic sports fields. Over the past 50 years, advances in materials science, manufacturing, and engineering have greatly improved artificial turf. Today’s turf fields are custom-designed for different sports, offering a variety of fiber sizes, infill materials like natural cork or eco-friendly plastics, and specialized base layers that enhance drainage and structural stability. The turf can even be tailored for specific sports needs, with more shock absorption for football and faster surfaces for soccer or baseball.
In terms of performance, artificial turf now looks, feels, and plays much like natural grass, and in most cases, even outperforms it. Infill granulate is applied evenly across the surface to support the synthetic fibers, with about 3–5 lbs per square foot needed. This blend of turf and elastic layers can reduce impact forces by up to 70%, offering better safety and comfort for athletes.
Why Choose Artificial Turf Fields?
Deciding whether to substitute a grass sports field for artificial turf depends on many factors, with cost being a key consideration but not the only one. Artificial turf fields are becoming increasingly popular across the country for good reasons. The biggest advantage is year-round playability, as these fields are not affected by weather conditions in the same way as natural grass. Additionally, maintenance costs are significantly lower for synthetic turf, with no need for mowing, fertilizing, or regular watering.
For a sports club or town, installing a new synthetic turf field can be a true game-changer. It can elevate a standard field into a sought-after destination, attracting tournaments, sponsors, and higher-caliber players. This increased activity can generate more revenue and raise the profile of the facility. However, if the field will only see limited use, or the club is not planning on expanding its offerings or attracting more users, the investment in artificial turf may not yield the expected returns.
Before committing to construction, clubs should thoroughly assess the impact a new artificial surface will have in terms of sales, marketing, and usage. Understanding the potential benefits and weighing them against the costs will ensure that the investment in synthetic turf is well-considered.
Turf installation: Planning Phase
Planning a new artificial turf field requires one crucial element: time. This is a multi-step process that shouldn’t be rushed, and just when you think you’ve covered everything, another detail will often emerge. Here are some foundational topics to consider in your “planning to plan” process. Each will involve its own set of detailed checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Legal and Regulatory
Permissions & Approvals: What permits do you need to begin construction? Check with local government and zoning boards for building approval.
Usage Restrictions: Are there restrictions on noise, lighting, or traffic that may limit facility hours or field use? Consider community impact.
Sport-Specific Certifications: Do governing bodies (e.g., football, soccer, baseball) have certification processes before your field can host official games or tournaments? Research any compliance standards to ensure your facility meets requirements.
Financial Considerations
Budget Planning: Establish your budget and understand how you will finance the project.
Upfront Costs: Include expenses for planning, permits, site preparation, construction, and initial turf installation.
Operational Costs: Consider ongoing expenses like utilities, routine maintenance, labor, and specialty maintenance for unforeseen repairs (e.g., damage from severe weather).
Revenue Sources: Explore memberships, team or league hosting fees, sponsorships, and grants to offset costs once the facility is operational. Determine eligibility for grants or tax credits to reduce the burden of pre-operational costs.
Understanding Your Site
Site Survey: A comprehensive site survey is essential to determine space, infrastructure, and preparation work needed (e.g., drainage, electricity). You’ll also need to know how much space is available for the field, parking, and additional facilities.
Pre-Construction Preparation: What work is required to level the field, improve drainage, or provide electricity and lighting? Planning the groundwork will impact the timeline and budget.
Field Usage Plans
Sport & Competition Level: Determine which sports will be played and the level of competition the field is designed for (e.g., high school, collegiate, recreational leagues).
Usage Frequency: Calculate how many hours per day, week, and year the field will be in use. A multi-sport field may have more intense wear and tear, requiring more robust materials.
Overlapping Details
These broad topics intersect frequently:
Field Size & Layout: You can’t finalize a site survey until you know the dimensions of the field, which depend on the sports you plan to host. Consulting federation guidelines can help determine the correct field size.
Turf Types, Lighting & Equipment: Once you have a rough plan in place, you’ll need to discuss turf types, lighting needs, and specialized maintenance equipment with your contractor. These discussions will allow you to refine estimates and develop a project timeline.
Gather Real-World Advice
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of talking to other facility managers in your area or sport. They’ve likely faced many of the same challenges you’ll encounter and can offer valuable insights into what worked and what didn’t during their own turf installations. Their hard-earned advice can help you avoid common pitfalls and streamline your process.
With careful planning and a methodical approach, you’ll be able to navigate this complex process efficiently and build a synthetic turf field that meets your needs for years to come.
Athletic Field construction
Once the planning is complete, contracts are signed, and initial funding is secured (though fundraising may continue throughout the project), it's time to begin construction on your new artificial turf field. Like any major construction project, you can break the process down into key milestones to stay on track. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved:
1. Pre-Clearing the Site
Renovating an Existing Field: If you’re upgrading an old field, this stage involves removing the existing turf and any layers that need replacing, like the base or drainage system.
New Field Construction: For a new build, this includes marking the boundaries, establishing paths for construction vehicles (ingress/egress), cutting down trees, and excavating or grading the land to prepare for the foundation.
2. Foundation and Structural Layers
This is one of the most important steps, as it ensures the long-term durability of your field.
Drainage System: Install proper drainage to prevent water pooling, which could damage the turf or interfere with gameplay.
Base Layers: Contractors will lay down structural layers, including a stable base for the turf. These layers are essential for shock absorption, durability, and maintaining the field’s flatness over time.
3. Turf Installation
Now, the project begins to take shape.
Laying the Turf: Crews install the synthetic turf carpet, carefully aligning the sections.
Impact Absorption Mats & Padding: These layers provide cushioning, which is essential for athlete safety. These also enhance field performance by reducing injury risks.
Infill Material: The granulate or infill material is distributed evenly to support the turf fibers and provide proper footing. This infill can be anything from sand to eco-friendly rubber or natural materials like cork.
4. Customization and Design
Now that the field is physically in place, it’s time to customize it to fit your needs.
Field Markings: Professional crews will paint sport-specific lines for soccer, football, lacrosse, or any other games you plan to host. These markings can often be changed for multi-sport fields.
Logos & Sponsorships: Your field will really stand out once logos, sponsor designs, and other custom elements are integrated into the turf.
Final Cleanup: As construction wraps up, remove any temporary structures or fences that were used to support the project. Your field is almost ready!
5. Additional Projects
Often, artificial turf field installations are part of a broader facility upgrade.
Lighting: If you’re adding new lighting, this will need to be installed during the project timeline, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with the turf installation.
Seating & Amenities: Expanding seating, adding bleachers, or improving amenities (e.g., locker rooms, parking) can be done simultaneously, each with its own construction schedule.
6. Grand Opening Preparation
Start sharing teaser photos and progress updates on social media.
Announce your opening date and invite community members, sponsors, and local teams.
With proper planning, each of these steps will come together smoothly, resulting in a cutting-edge artificial turf field that meets the needs of athletes and spectators alike. All that's left is to celebrate the completion and start enjoying the benefits of your new field!
How to Finance the Project?
Financing a new artificial turf field is a complex process that can vary significantly depending on the external conditions and specific needs of the club or municipality. While options like grants, loans, and crowdfunding are common, each situation requires a tailored approach. Below are some frequent fundraising concepts and strategies that have proven successful over the years.
Common Fundraising Concepts
Community Runs: Organize a race or walkathon, where participants raise funds through entry fees or sponsorship pledges. This engages the local community and generates excitement around the project.
Fundraising Appeals at Events: Use city festivals or sports events to reach potential donors. A booth or announcement at these events can raise awareness and attract support.
Celebrity Football Matches: Host a fun match where a local team faces off against celebrities or high-profile regional teams. These events can generate large crowds, media coverage, and donations.
Tournaments with Neighboring Clubs: Collaborate with other local clubs to organize multi-team tournaments. This can bring in revenue through participation fees, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
Sponsorships: Sell naming rights for the field, specific seats, or offer perimeter advertising. Local businesses may be interested in supporting the facility in exchange for marketing opportunities.
Website and Social Media Promotions: Use your club’s website and social media channels to share progress updates and donation drives. Engage your audience with images, stories, and plans for the new field.
Crowdfunding: Set up a crowdfunding campaign on platforms such as GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Incentivize donations by offering rewards like branded merchandise or a plaque with the donor’s name at the field.
Celebrity Involvement and Corporate Partnerships: Reach out to local celebrities and companies for support. Their promotion of your project through their networks, both online and offline, can boost visibility and fundraising efforts.
For more ideas, check out resources like the article that compiles 12 tips for financing your artificial turf field to gain further insights.
Involving Club Members in Construction
One way to significantly reduce costs (up to $35,000) is by involving club members in parts of the construction process, under the supervision of a professional. Members can help with tasks like:
Dismantling Equipment: Removing old structures like barrier systems or ball-catching fences.
Paving and Landscaping: Working on pathways, parking areas, or landscaping around the field.
In addition to saving money, involving club members builds a sense of ownership and pride in the project. It strengthens club cohesion, as members work together toward a shared goal, and helps forge stronger connections between participants. The collective effort mirrors the teamwork seen on the field, fostering a deeper commitment to the club’s success.
Applying for Funding
It’s essential to research funding options early in the planning process, especially since many sources require long lead times. Sports facility builders often offer advice and can help guide you through the application process. Here are a few key considerations:
Identify Eligible Funding Sources: Research which grants or loans are available for your project. Focus on government programs, sports development organizations, or local business sponsorships.
Assess Usage Plans: Determine who will use the field (e.g., schools, universities, or corporate sports leagues). Collaborating with educational institutions or businesses may make your project eligible for additional funding.
Plan and Apply Early: Applications for grants or subsidies often have strict requirements and deadlines. Ensure your project meets eligibility criteria and start the application process as early as possible to avoid delays.
By addressing both the financial and logistical aspects of your project, and involving the local community, you can ensure the success of your artificial turf field while fostering a strong sense of collaboration and pride within your club.
Total Lifecycle cost of an Artificial Turf Field
While artificial turf fields don't grow or dry out like natural grass, they are far from maintenance-free. Over time, you’ll need to budget for ongoing upkeep, repairs, and eventual refurbishments. However, these costs will generally be lower than those associated with natural grass fields, and with proper care, your artificial turf can generate revenue for years to come.
Here’s a breakdown of the lifecycle of an artificial turf sports field from a financial perspective:
1. Initial Planning and Site Preparation
The first major cost is the site survey. This survey is essential, as it doesn’t just measure the dimensions of your field but also assesses the subsurface conditions. The goal is to determine how deep you’ll need to excavate and what type of base will support the turf, which will significantly influence the cost of the project.
Key considerations:
Excavation and Grading: Depending on the results of the site survey, contractors may need to excavate and grade the area to ensure a flat and stable playing surface.
Drainage Systems: A robust drainage system is essential to prevent water buildup, which could damage the turf or make the field unplayable. This often represents a significant portion of the preparatory work costs.
2. Turf Installation
The cost of installing the actual artificial turf depends on two main factors: size and quality.
Size: A full-size FIFA-standard soccer pitch, for instance, will be more expensive than a high school’s multipurpose field. Larger fields require more turf material, infill, and installation labor, increasing costs proportionally.
Quality: The fibers and infill materials determine the overall quality of the playing surface. High-end fibers provide a more natural feel, increased durability, and improved safety for players. Infill materials, such as cork or rubber, vary in cost and performance, with premium options typically offering better shock absorption and environmental benefits.
Components of installation:
Shock Absorption Layers: Some fields require additional layers beneath the turf to reduce impact, which can increase the cost but improve player safety.
Infill: The infill (e.g., rubber, sand, or cork) supports the turf fibers and impacts the field's performance and longevity. The choice of infill will affect both the upfront cost and long-term maintenance.
3. Maintenance and Operational Costs
Once the field is installed, ongoing maintenance will be necessary, though less than a natural grass field. Some common tasks include:
Brushing and Grooming: Regularly brushing the turf helps keep the fibers upright and ensures even distribution of the infill. This may require specialized equipment.
Infill Replenishment: Over time, infill materials can compact or degrade, so occasional top-ups are needed.
Cleaning: Periodic cleaning to remove debris, stains, and bacteria (especially for fields used frequently by many players).
Repairs: Small repairs, such as seam fixing or replacing worn-out sections, are part of regular upkeep.
Depending on the scale and usage of your facility, you’ll need to decide whether to invest in in-house maintenanceequipment and staff training or to outsource maintenance to specialized companies. Many facility managers find a balance by handling minor maintenance tasks internally and contracting out more complex work.
Maintenance strategy options:
In-House Maintenance: This requires investing in equipment like grooming machines, infill spreaders, and repair kits, as well as training staff.
Outsourcing: For facilities with high usage or larger fields, contracting maintenance to professionals can save time and ensure the work is done correctly, but comes with recurring costs.
4. Revenue Generation
One of the significant advantages of artificial turf is its ability to generate consistent revenue. The lower maintenance costs and extended usability allow you to host more events, increasing your financial return. Revenue sources can include:
Membership Fees: If your facility is used by clubs or teams, recurring memberships can bring in steady income.
Event Hosting: Tournaments, camps, and community events generate additional revenue.
Sponsorships: Selling sponsorships or naming rights for the field can be a major income stream.
Grants: Local government or sports development grants can provide financial assistance for both installation and upgrades.
5. Long-Term Refurbishments and Replacement
While artificial turf is more durable than natural grass, it does have a finite lifespan (typically 8-15 years depending on usage). You’ll need to budget for eventual refurbishments, which will include replacing the turf surface, and potentially some subsurface layers. This is typically less costly than the initial installation but still a significant investment.
Replacement Planning:
Turf Surface Replacement: This is the largest cost in long-term maintenance. Planning ahead and setting aside funds over the years can help cover this expense when the time comes.
Upgrades: When replacing turf, it may be beneficial to upgrade to newer materials that offer better performance or sustainability.
Conclusion
In sum, artificial turf fields require an initial investment in planning and installation, followed by ongoing maintenance and eventual refurbishments. However, with lower long-term costs and higher revenue potential, an artificial turf field can be a financially sound decision for many clubs and municipalities. Careful financial planning, including setting aside funds for future replacements and balancing in-house and outsourced maintenance, will ensure the field remains an asset for years to come.
