GROWTH IN ATHLETICS LEADS TO NEW ASTROTURF FIELD AT CENTRE COLLEGE

(DANVILLE, Kentucky) - Centre College is taking a big step toward enhancing its reputation of athletic excellence with the installation of a new AstroTurf field.

Centre is a top 50 liberal arts college, with just over 1,300 students enrolled.  The school boasts 23 intercollegiate teams and teams in 15 intramural sports program.  Within those programs, about 40% of the students participate in intercollegiate athletics and 80% participate in intramural sports.

Within the next few weeks, many of those athletes will be able to practice and play on the finest artificial playing surface in the world.

For years, the school has had to balance practice schedules of multiple teams on a field.  For example, the field hockey team would always have to wait for football practice to end before taking the field.  Now, those scheduling conflicts will no longer be part of the equation.

The new AstroTurf surface will accommodate field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer.  The field will also host early season softball practices and some intramural events.

“For us, the need for field availability was an issue,” said Brian Chafin, Athletic Director.  “The new AstroTurf field provides us with the solution of being able to offer more practice time, as well as a playing surface which is always ready to go and requires very little downtime.”

Chafin and Centre College officials looked at several turf options, but chose AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D52H.  

“The texture, performance, and durability of the field were important aspects,” said Chafin.  “We also looked at aesthetics.  In the end, AstroTurf was the choice for us.”

Most programs installing a synthetic surface look at five major categories when choosing a turf.  Those include availability, performance, maintenance, safety, and aesthetics.

“We understand the demands of all types of athletic programs,” said Pat Davidson, AstroTurf Sales Representative.  “We don’t subscribe to the one-size-fits-all philosophy and we worked hard to meet the individual needs of Centre College.  We’re excited to partner with them on this project and we’re proud to give them the finest playing surface on the market.”

AstroTurf fields offer more than four times the availability of grass fields.  The teams will be able to utilize the surface anytime, in most weather, for practice and games.

From a performance standpoint, the make-up of the AstroTurf system stands out.  This surface features the all new Horseshoe fiber.  This new fiber is enjoying unprecedented success in the sports field marketplace, due to factors such as its unique shape.  The fiber’s horseshoe shape features two end columns with a thicker diameter.  The design imparts mechanical memory so that the fiber remains upright longer, unlike other fields whose fibers quickly flatten and split or shred at the spine.  The Horseshoe fiber continues to spring back to its original configuration, even after years of heavy foot traffic or exposure to ultra-violet radiation.

The field also has a face weight of 52 ounces of fiber per square yard, one of the highest in the industry.  This adds to the durability provided by the fiber shape.

The Horseshoe fiber’s shape also allows it to reflect light and heat away from the surface.  That, in combination with AstroFlect heat reduction technology, can lower surface temperatures by as much as 18%.

The field also has RootZone, a thatch layer which holds the sand and rubber infill in place for less splash and migration, making for a more consistent playing surface.

From a maintenance standpoint, the field will require periodic grooming, but maintenance efforts are greatly reduced.  This will be vitally important as it related to the amount of use the new field will get, but will not require the maintenance required by a grass field to accommodate this level of use.

Regarding safety, a study at Michigan State University, funded by NFL Charities, found that AstroTurf GameDay Grass systems had performance values more like natural grass than any other synthetic product measured, making it the safest option.  In extensive testing, the Horseshoe fiber performs most like natural grass from ball roll, to slide resistance, to the biomechanical function of cleats penetrating and releasing properly.  

From an aesthetics standpoint, the fields look amazing.  The Horseshoe fiber is recognized as one of the best looking synthetic surfaces on the market.

There are a couple of added benefits.  One is the environment.  In 2010, BASF did a study comparing AstroTurf fields to natural grass fields.  In 11 environmental categories, AstroTurf had a lower environmental footprint than natural grass.  Factors contributing to this include reduced maintenance and mowing, which cause a variety of emissions.  Other factors include elimination of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the need for water.  AstroTurf fields also use soy-based polyols in the backing of products, reducing their dependence on foreign oil. 

From an economic standpoint, over 20 years, AstroTurf fields are, on average, 15% less expensive than natural grass fields, even when the cost of turf replacement is considered.

Finally, the biggest benefit seen by the most people will be the performance of the Centre College student athletes who use the field.

Sports Construction Management is managing the South Campus Fields project, which also includes a natural grass softball field, at Centre College and installation is expected to be complete by the end of summer.