Sports Venue Talk

Looks, feels and plays like grass

How would it be to see a large area of undulating land transform into a lovely green playing arena? Would not it be wonderful to have stadiums where there is no need to mow, fertilize, reseed or water the green. Would not it be nice to know as you run, you will not encounter any pit or puddle as you wade your way through opponents? Players of all sport can run with gay abandon. Synthetic turfs do look, feel and play like natural grass.

Synthetic turfs are becoming popular the world over. These fields are suitable for football, soccer, field hockey, baseball, tennis, rugby and other sports. 800 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields are installed in the schools, colleges, parks and professional stadiums annually in North America. (http://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org)

It is environment friendly. There is reduced labour cost related to maintenance, elimination of usage of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Control of insects and disease is eliminated. There is no pollution caused by chemical use and increases play time. It is durable and the fields can be used in all weather conditions. The fields can be used for over 2,200 hours more in comparison to natural grass per year There are more than 50 stadiums which are ten or more years old.

Rain, snow, sunshine or storms do not damage the turf. The most fascinating feature is it does not need weeding, thatching and mowing. Synthetic turfs save water, a football stadium with natural grass needs about 2.5 million to 3.5 million gallons of water per year.

Synthetic turfs are perfectly suited to places where it is difficult to grow natural grass. Synthetic turf costs $6-$9 per square foot. In the present day and age with erratic climatic conditions and shortage of water these turfs are an option for stadia managements to look at. The advantages are manifold.

• Reduces yearly maintenance cost
• Permanent lines—does not require painting
• Has uniform playing surface
• Safe—reduces impact on injuries
• All weather playing surface and increases playing hours
• Is UV resistant