Photo Credit: Woodard & Curran
Good planning always contributes to a higher probability of success for any project, and planning for your next multi-purpose athletic-field project is no exception, be it development or redevelopment, natural grass, or synthetic turf. At the outset of this type of project, there are three primary tasks to keep in mind: a thorough field investigation, site planning and concepts, and feasibility review, which includes costs and permitting. These core activities will serve as a compass for guiding overall success, as they afford project owners the opportunity to determine and set aside the necessary resources, which will often save time, money, and aggravation throughout the project, including construction, and even operations and maintenance.
Executing your next athletic-field project can be an entirely manageable if you have the information necessary to make the decisions right for a particular set of circumstances. The more educated that owners are on the planning process for both natural-grass and synthetic-turf athletic fields, by consulting an impartial perspective on the planning, design, permitting, and operations and maintenance of these facilities, the better decisions owners can make about the project. You will find here a general overview at the preliminary planning level, meant to steer the project towards a successful grand opening and beyond.
Choosing Between Synthetic Turf And Natural Grass
The central question when considering upgrades to sports and recreation facilities, and specifically athletic fields, is whether to install a natural-grass or synthetic-turf surface. Many project owners may be initially driven to one or the other based on the upfront costs of construction; however, there are many other factors to consider, including site conditions and constraints, level of demand on the facility, and resources available for maintenance, to name a few. Everyone loves the feel and playability of a natural-grass field, but many owners find the demand for resources to maintain a quality natural-grass field properly can add up quickly, especially in cases where the fields are overused.