Here's an article from August 18, 2009, about an artificial turf stadium field in Washington State that deteriorated prior to the expiration of the warranty. The artificial turf field in this article was installed by the same company that is the exclusive, sole source supplier for artificial turf fields for MCPS.
What happened when the field disintegrated before the expiration of the warranty? Read all about it...can MCPS afford to replace artificial turf fields every 7 years? (Hint: MCPS has told the County Council that artificial turf fields will last for 10 years. See page 12 of Council packet here.)
Last-minute field replacement surprises district
After seven years of wear and tear, Islander Stadium’s artificial turf field is being pulled out and replaced entirely. The improvement comes as a surprise, since the field’s eight-year warranty does not expire until Oct. 1, 2010...
...According to Mercer Island High School Athletics Director Craig Olson, pieces of the turf field were falling apart and the field recently failed a periodic safety test.Since there was more than a year left on the 2002 warranty, the turf company offered to remediate the situation by plugging in 16,000 pounds of rubber pellets, theoretically increasing the field’s cushion factor. The company covered all costs. Unfortunately, the effort was unsuccessful.
“We thought the 16,000 pounds of rubber pellets — pushing the pellets into the turf to increase resiliency — would solve the problem. It didn’t,”......As for cost, the company offered a 20 percent price reduction, since 14 months remained on the warranty.
District and FieldTurf Tarkett representatives debated and negotiated until both sides agreed on the overall replacement cost of $455,504, which includes the 20 percent discount.
The district will cover the amount with money from its Capital Projects fund...
gee
ReplyDeleteWarriors stinging from stadium FieldTurf cuts
ReplyDeleteWounds inflicted on 6-year-old surface that's not 'forgiving'
Link: (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090908/SPORTS0201/909080338/-1/sportsfront )
There is a 36-day break between last Friday's season opener and the Hawai'i football team's next home game.
That might be enough time for the FieldTurf-induced scrapes to heal.
Several Warriors noticed that the 6-year-old FieldTurf, installed in 2003 as part of the requirements for keeping the Pro Bowl in Hawai'i, no longer offers a soft cushion. The "blades" are worn down, and the paint coating, several Warriors noticed, provides a rough surface.
"It's not very forgiving," said UH quarterback Greg Alexander, his left shin covered with salami-colored abrasions. "It feels like you're playing on concrete sometimes."
Cornerback Jeramy Bryant did not work out Sunday because of a "deep incision" on his right leg caused after he slid on the FieldTurf. He said the cut might require a couple of stitches.
Left slotback Greg Salas' right forearms also were marked with cuts.
"The turf is hard," Salas said. "It hurts when you get tackled on it. ... It was that way last year. I've always had scabs (from turf burns). They never go away because I always rip them off in games when I get tackled."
On the plus side, the turf offers good traction, helping increase a player's speed. The downside, defensive end Paipai Falemalu said, is the FieldTurf feels like "carpet. It doesn't give too much."
Falemalu's knees were covered with abrasions.
UH head coach Greg McMackin said he noticed there were more reports of turf-related cuts.
"I don't know if it's just worn down," McMackin said. "It does seem a little thinner than last year. I have no answers."
Regardless of the condition, Alexander said: "You can't do anything about it now. It's football. You can't complain. If you fall down, you're going to get scraped. Whatever. You have to keep playing and not worry about it."
McMackin said he was told a new artificial turf will be installed next year.
"I know (stadium manager) Scott Chan and his staff do a great job, and they've got plans in the future," McMackin said. "Both teams have to play on it. Nobody has an advantage."