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The processes involved in renovating a football field

This is an excerpt from Managing Sport Facilities-3rd Edition by Gil Fried.

Field Renovations


In spring 2007, bulldozers started removing the grass turf at the Hall High School field in West Hartford, Connecticut. After examining the cost - benefit analysis for installing an artificial turf field, West Hartford decided to replace both high school grass fields with artificial turf systems. The process began with preparing the area around the field that would not be changed. Protective tarps needed to be installed over a synthetic track to avoid causing the track harm. Next, all the equipment and supplies were brought in to avoid potential delays. While removing some grass turf, numerous dump trucks carrying stones were brought in to install the underlying drainage system. The following photo sequence highlights some of the steps taken in the process to install the field that cost almost $1 million. The total installation process took approximately 5 months to complete - just in time for the fall football season.


The first step in the process of converting a grass field to an artificial turf field is to remove the grass.
The first step in the process of converting a grass field to an artificial turf field is to remove the grass.


Once the grass is removed and enough topsoil is removed for drainage preparation, a laser-guided bulldozer will level the field.
Once the grass is removed and enough topsoil is removed for drainage preparation, a laser-guided bulldozer will level the field.


You should not start a building project without having all the necessary supplies. On this project all the drainage piping was stored on the side so that it did not interfere with the construction process.
You should not start a building project without having all the necessary supplies. On this project all the drainage piping was stored on the side so that it did not interfere with the construction process.


In this renovation effort the high school already had a nice track, so the track was covered to protect it from harm and a drainage system was installed on the perimeter of the new field to assist with drainage.
In this renovation effort the high school already had a nice track, so the track was covered to protect it from harm and a drainage system was installed on the perimeter of the new field to assist with drainage.


Once the field is leveled, a covering is placed over the soil to prevent weeds from coming through. Then, drainage pipes and stones large enough to allow for percolation are added before the final field surface is installed.
Once the field is leveled, a covering is placed over the soil to prevent weeds from coming through. Then, drainage pipes and stones large enough to allow for percolation are added before the final field surface is installed.


Once the artificial turf is installed, the playing surface can look immaculate and the upkeep costs associated with seeding, mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weeding a grass field are eliminated.
Once the artificial turf is installed, the playing surface can look immaculate and the upkeep costs associated with seeding, mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weeding a grass field are eliminated.

Learn more about Managing Sport Facilities, Third Edition.

More Excerpts From Managing Sport Facilities 3rd Edition
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