AZ Stadium going fake grass in 2013

[DeuceSooth]

Is it turf or fake grass? Is there a difference?

[ASUHATER!]

a lot of places have indoor turf fields and turf stadiums (lsu, nebraska, okie state, ohio state i believe)

[RichardCranium]

Originally Posted by PieceOfMeat

That's what I was gonna say.

[RichardCranium]

Originally Posted by Merkin

... artificial grass is very easy and cheap to maintain.

Rubbish.

Artificial grass needs constant maintenance just like real grass. Just as real grass needs regular mowing, artificial grass needs regular brushing, at least weekly. Just like real grass, artificial grass needs periodic 'top dressing' (infill). Artificial grass even needs watering, (mostly for cooling, but also for 'settling') probably not as often as real grass, but in Tucson who knows?

FIFA: Maintenance of Artificial Turf

Actually, the only thing artificial grass doesn't need that real grass does is periodic 'de-thatching' and aerating.

There are several 'cost-benefit' analysis reports on the web, and every one of them is produced by a synthetic turf vendor. And everyone of them lies about the ongoing maintenance costs. Everyone of them proposes a life span estimate of 12 to 15 years. This stuff is just down right silly.

This estimate ( Natural and Synthetic Turf: A Comparative Analysis ) suggests 15 years life span for an artificial soccer pitch that will cost $800,000 to install versus $260,000 for natural and compares the yearly maintenance costs of $6000 (ridiculously low) versus $42000 for natural turf.

Leaving out that artificial turf in the Tucson sun is not going to last any thing like 15 years lets look at those numbers shall we?

$800,000 + (15 *6000) = $890,000
$260,000 + (15*42,000) = $880,000

So even if you forget that UA already has a grass field and won't incur the $260,000 installation fee, the natural grass is less expensive.

[illcat]

This wouldn't happen if Stoops was still here...................

[Irish27]

Originally Posted by AZ2ATX

I agree, but this is an indicator that an indoor practice facility is definitely not in the cards and that's what greatly disappoints me.

That makes no sense. They need an indoor facility to practice in during the hot days of summer and during monsoons.

[UAEebs86]

Originally Posted by RichardCranium

So even if you forget that UA already has a grass field and won't incur the $260,000 installation fee, the natural grass is less expensive.

Have you seen the photos from the NEZ construction? I think
we were going to be installing new turf this season one way
or the other.

Then again, the artificial turf is for the season after next, so that's two installation fees plus a removal fee...

[UAEebs86]

"New technology would cut down the radiant heat that has long been a drawback to turf fields, Byrne said."

Anyone know what the changes to FieldTurf are to cut down on the heat?

[Stoopstrooper]

This is an awesome idea and, since we live in the desert, the turf should be the color of dirt

[illcat]

Originally Posted by UAEebs86

Have you seen the photos from the NEZ construction? I think
we were going to be installing new turf this season one way
or the other.

That's a fact, the South end of the field is toast with all that equipment driving over it. Vehicles start at the North end and drive the entire length of the field so it was gonna have to be replaced.

[azcat49]

I would assume they have to sod the field this year and they can't out the field turf in because those same trucks and equipment will be on the field after next season too

[Wyo-Cat]

Originally Posted by UAEebs86

Anyone know what the changes to FieldTurf are to cut down on the heat?

Not claiming to be an expert here.......but I was meeting with a Rain Bird sales rep, and he was telling me that a certain sprinkler head was good for synthetic turf, but the drawback is that they use more water to cool a synthetic turf field than to irrigate a hybrid bermuda grass field - which is the standard in AZ for sports fields.

The fields use long strands of synthetic fibers to simulate the look and feel of grass, and use small pebbles of recycled tires to absorb the shock and make it simulate the action of running and getting tackled on a grass surface vs. the old school 'astro turf.' The drawback of the recycled tire pebbles are that they can get into your eyes as you play, they are a major factor in heat gain and they must be periodically reapplied to maintain a level playing field.

I've only been involved with a few synthetic fields, and it has different grading needs than natural turf, so depending on what the client wants, the 'crown' of the field may also not be as high.

Personally, I think Arizona Stadium had the finest playing surface I've ever seen.

[Wyo-Cat]

Originally Posted by azcat49

I would assume they have to sod the field this year and they can't out the field turf in because those same trucks and equipment will be on the field after next season too

I don't think compaction is a factor in this decision because it's pretty easy to fix that problem in a small area like a football stadium.

[azpenguin]

Doesn't rule out an indoor practice facility. Turf in the stadium doesn't solve that tricky little issue of 105 degrees outside. Indoor facility would be a big selling point with recruits and would also make the idea of staying over the summer to do voluntary workouts much more attractive.

[pooh man]

Originally Posted by UAEebs86

"New technology would cut down the radiant heat that has long been a drawback to turf fields, Byrne said."

Anyone know what the changes to FieldTurf are to cut down on the heat?

Frankly, radiant heat would seem to be an advantage. We're operating in the hottest environment in the Pac 12 (along with ASU) and it's hard for me to imagine extra heat doing anything but making that advantage at home against the Oregons and UW's of the world bigger.